Can an x ray show muscle damage

If you go to your doctor or an orthopaedic surgeon after you hurt your knee, you might want to skip xrays and go straight for an MRI.

You might feel fairly confident that you didn’t break a bone, in which case the xray might be “negative.” Most orthopedic surgeons prefer to start with xrays before ordering a more expensive and time-consuming test like an MRI.

The reason many patients want to skip x-rays is pretty straightforward.

X-rays show bones, but they don’t show tendons, ligaments, articular cartilage, the meniscus and other soft tissue structures in the knee. If you think you suffered a soft tissue injury, you might think an MRI is the appropriate first step.

Here are some reasons that orthopedic surgeons prefer to start with x-rays.

These tests, plus the patient’s history and physical exam, can be very helpful in making a diagnosis.

Also read:
Ask Dr. Geier – Is pain normal after plica surgery?
Ask Dr. Geier – Should I go to the doctor after a knee injury?

An xray can show if you suffered a fracture.

will an xray show ligament damage

would an x ray show ligament damage