I’m in Pain! Should I Get an X-ray?
X-rays are a powerful tool that help reveal hidden injuries and medical conditions. They can be incredibly useful, especially when diagnosing fractures or internal damage. However, they’re not always necessary—and they can be expensive. So the real question is: When do you actually need one?
Ankle/Leg Injuries
If your injury is in the lower leg or ankle, consider getting an X-ray if you experience any of the following:
- A dangerous mechanism of injury – such as a fall from a height, a jump, a car accident, or another significant trauma
- You can’t walk more than 4 steps or put weight on the injured leg
- You have tenderness in the specific areas demonstrated in the photo below
Knee Injuries
If the injury involves your knee, you should consider getting an X-ray if you have any of the following:
- You are over 55 years of age
- You can’t bend your knee more than 90 degrees
- You can’t walk 4 steps or put weight on the leg immediately after the injury
- You have significant tenderness in the specific areas demonstrated in the photo below
Neck Injuries
If you’ve been in a high-speed car crash or sustained a fall from a significant height, it’s important to get imaging of your neck to rule out any serious injuries. In addition to high-impact accidents, here are other key factors that indicate you should consider getting an X-ray or further evaluation:
- You are over 65 years of age
- Numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
- Difficulty turning your head or limited range of motion side to side
These are general guidelines to help you decide whether you may need an X-ray. If you’re concerned about a possible fracture, it’s always best to get imaging—when in doubt, it’s better to be safe. While an X-ray might not always be necessary, getting one can offer peace of mind and help guide the next steps in your recovery. If you’d like to learn more about when imaging is appropriate or want to better understand your specific injury, we’re here to help.
Schedule an appointment here, call us at 312-643-1555, or email [email protected].
Dynamic Physical Therapy • https://dynamic-pt.com • 220 W Huron St Suite 2004, Chicago, IL 60654
