Do You Need an X-Ray or Other Type of Imaging for Your Condition?
The answer is always dependent on your individual case. Special imaging, such as x-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs and CT scans can provide you and your clinician valuable information about the structural integrity of your body. The nature of your injury, your past health history, your goals, and other factors will determine whether imaging is necessary.
Imaging may be warranted in situations when we believe something more than just typical mechanical or functional pain is present. For example, if we suspect fracture or instability from a high speed motor vehicle accident. Other things like the suspicion of an underlying disease or inflammatory process occurring may warrant an x-ray. Finally, we may order an x-ray if we have not seen significant or expected improvement over the initial phase of treatment.
Ultimately, most patients who visit a chiropractor or physiotherapist office do not need x-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs or any other type of imaging. Our physical examination and assessment procedures are excellent at diagnosing and guiding treatment. Most patients see significant improvements without ever having to get any sort of imaging.
What are the basic differences between x-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, and CT scans?
X-rays use ionizing radiation to provide a 2D picture of bone and more dense structures. They are useful in fractures and dislocations. They are fast and often the first step before getting an MRI.
Ultrasounds use sound waves to assess soft tissues. They are not able to visualize deep into the body, so their utility is limited to more superficial structures. They may be used for a rotator cuff injury, for example.
MRIs create three-dimensional images of the body. They are expensive and time consuming. The process of taking an MRI takes up to an hour. MRIs are very detailed and can visualize bone, soft tissues, organs, nervous tissue, and more. They are often used for spinal pain involving the disc or nerves, and before surgeries. MRIs do not use ionizing radiation.
CT scans also create three-dimensional images, but unlike MRIs they use ionizing radiation. They are essentially many x-rays stacked on top of one another. An advantage is that they are performed very quickly, and thus often used in the hospital and emergency situations. The images created are comparable to MRIs.
What will an x-ray or MRI really tell me?
Finally, it is important to note that imaging does not always tell the full story. Findings on MRIs, such as a disc herniation, do not always give us the cause of the pain or symptoms. In fact, a large percentage of the population have disc herniations but have no symptoms whatsoever. Incidental findings can also have a detrimental effect on patients’ psyche as they become focused on the finding. This can lead patients to forget that they are not defined by their image and can continue to improve their condition despite what the image says.
Unsure if you need imaging for your condition or have any questions? Feel free to contact us!
