4 Reasons Why X-Rays Are Important When You Have Neck or Back Pain

If you’re experiencing neck or back pain, you may be wondering if an x-ray is necessary. In most cases it is, but not always. X-rays allow your doctor to see the bones and tissues in your neck and back, which can help determine the cause of your pain. The information your doctor learns from the film will help them create a treatment plan. Here are four reasons why x-rays are necessary for neck or back pain.

Rule out fractures and examine previous fractures

X-rays are one of the most used diagnostic tools in medicine. They are highly effective at ruling out fractures and can also be used to examine previous fractures. X-rays can also show signs of wear and tear on bones, which can be helpful in diagnosing many other conditions. Imaging a past fracture can help your doctor determine compensating injuries and resultant pain origins. 

X-ray is a great way to help your doctor determine the underlying cause of your pain

Pain can come from many different sources. X-rays help rule out anatomical deficiencies and anomalies. For example, if a person has one leg shorter than another or a missing bone or malformed bone because of trouble at birth, surgery, or genetics, this could cause a sideways curvature of the spine (scoliosis) resulting in back pain. 

X-ray helps determine the best way to treat your pain

X-rays are great at helping track progress – By taking multiple images over time, doctors can see how well a patient is healing and whether their treatment plan is working. 

X-ray is an important part of diagnosing health conditions

When a person comes into the office with joint pain, one of the first things that need to be decided is if it is arthritis that is causing the problem, what type of arthritis does this person have? This can be tricky, because there are over 100 types of arthritis, and they can often mimic each other. Different types of arthritis will often cause different changes in the bones and joints on x-ray. For example, gout often causes tophi, which are small lumps of uric acid crystals that build up in the joints and Psoriatic arthritis often leads to spondylitis, which is a condition that causes inflammation of the spine. By carefully reviewing the x-rays and considering the person’s symptoms and medical history, doctors can make an accurate diagnosis. X-rays are an important diagnostic tool for doctors. They allow doctors to see the bones and tissues in a person’s neck and back, which can help determine the cause of their pain. X-rays can also help track progress over time and determine the best way to treat someone’s pain. If you’re experiencing neck or back pain, talk to your doctor about whether an x-ray is necessary.