Bulging disk xray3/11/2024 So if you are dealing with back pain and want to get to the bottom of it, set up an appointment with your general physician or spine specialist. That’s not to say that an x-ray can’t help find potentially problematic spinal degeneration, but most spines actually look worse on imaging simply because this degeneration happens to all of us, and it can lead doctors to draw wrong conclusions about your back pain. This degeneration may not actually be the root cause of your pain, but because it is seen on an x-ray, your physician may try to treat this section of your spine when your underlying cause is actually rooted elsewhere. An x-ray of an average 60-year-old individual would likely show degeneration in certain areas of the spine. If you’re a frequent reader of our blog, you’re probably aware that your spine undergoes natural degeneration as you age. Misdiagnosis & OvertreatmentĪnother reason why an x-ray may not be ordered based on your symptoms is because an x-ray can sometimes lead to misdiagnosis and overtreatment. These are the same soft tissues that do a poor job absorbing electromagnetic waves, so it would be hard to see problems with these areas via an x-ray. If pain develops after bending, twisting or being in the same position for hours, you’re likely dealing with a muscle, ligament or similar soft tissue injury. In situations where back pain develops without direct trauma to the area, it may be unlikely to get all the answers you seek by ordering an x-ray. On the flip side, there are times when an x-ray may not be your best option. In most cases of trauma to the area, an x-ray can be a helpful diagnostic tool. For example, after a car accident, a heavy collision in sporting activities or following a fall, a spine specialist may order an x-ray to see if a fracture has occurred to any of the vertebrae in the spine. This is most common when the cause of injury involves significant trauma to the area. Fat and other soft tissues absorb less of these waves, meaning they often appear gray or faded on the x-ray image.įor this reason, x-rays are typically ordered when injury cause and symptom description suggest a person might be dealing with a spinal fracture or similar bone issue. Calcium in our bones absorbs the most radiation, which is why bones appear so prominently in x-rays. Why Your Spine Specialist Isn’t Ordering An X-RayĪn x-ray sends radiation in the form of electromagnetic waves through our body, and as these waves pass through they are absorbed by different structures. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at what types of back pain wouldn’t show up on an x-ray, and why your doctor may skip an x-ray when you show up to their office with spinal discomfort. While they can be an informative option for care providers, they aren’t always a perfect diagnostic option for certain back problems. It’s the most common imaging technique, and odds are you’ve undergone an x-ray if you’ve ever potentially fractured a bone in your body. When you think of a diagnostic imaging test, your mind first goes to an x-ray. Back Problems That Don’t Show Up On An X-Ray Category: Back Pain | Author: Stefano Sinicropi
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