Community Chat

[Yardlie]

I know there are obvious uses for x-rays; however, I wish doctors would let patients have the choice between the x-rays and CT scans. Maybe insurance companies and Medicare require the x-rays first. I don't know. Does anyone know?

In September I fractured my ankle. The x-rays showed nothing. The CT scan done a week later showed a fractured tibia in my ankle.

Now, over the holidays, I hurt my back lifting something. I knew immediately that there was a fracture because I always get a bad burning feeling besides the pain when I fracture a bone. (Yes, I take calcium and Fosamax.) I went to the doctor. He took x-rays and said there was no fracture. Finally, I went to a spine specialist. He ordered a CT scan which showed a fractured vertebrae in my lumbar spine.

I wanted to join a gym as a New Year's resolution. The doctor who took regular x-rays told me I should wait 2 weeks. The spine specialist told me to wait 6-8 weeks until my spine heals.

It is frustrating to get exposed to all that radiation from regular x-rays and then end up needing a CT scan too.

Also, any ideas on how to strengthen my bones besides calcium, Fosamax, and weight-bearing exercise...which is out for the moment. Thanks much!  

[MyGirlsMom]

CT scans can see everything, not only bones but soft tissue, muscles, tendons, masses, etc.

Your Insurance company probably dictates the protocol your Doctor must use in treating you. X-rays are far less cheaper than CAT scans.

[BarbB]

Hi.  I'm an x-ray tech and doctors always do regular x-rays first.  In many cases that's all you might need, but if problems persist and nothing showed on x-rays, they do further testing.  Usually it's an MRI for orthopedic problems, not CTs, which has no radiation.  Plain x-rays these days have very minimal radiation.

[Nuttmeg]

Sorry to read you are having medical problems, BUT thank goodness you have access to the right tools and doctors.

[SaRina]

Hi Brinklii. X-rays should always be done first to assess fractures... and CT scans always the very last choice.  A CT scan gives the equivalent amount of radiation as a few hundred "regular" x-rays. Most people are not aware of this.  Although, there are newer CT machines that offer a lower dose of radiation and you should ask about that.  

Sometimes, if an x-ray is done immediately after the accident, any swelling can obliterate the image so that the fracture cannot be seen until some swelling abates. But MRIs can assess fractures, and you should always ask if you can have an MRI before a CT. Docs are reluctant to order MRIs over CTs because they are more expensive, but you should impress upon them your concern about excessive radiation in a CT.

You might want to have your bone status assessed by either a bone or metabolic specialist.  Feel better!

[ALRATIBA]

I had both for the same injury ... broken arm.   X-ray was done first and then the orthopedic surgeon ordered the  CT Scan prior to scheduling surgery.   

X-rays can be done right there at the office ... CT Scan had to be done off-premises.  Insurance paid for everything - I have no idea what the cost was.

Other problems - x-rays were able to show the problem/injury.

[MalteseMomma]

I am sorry you had to suffer because of a mistake 

I know you need  to exersize and going to a gym is good for you, but my first thought was, "join a gym"..... after a back  injury..............no thank you   

{{{{{hugs}}}}}

[pitdakota]

What @BarbB and @SaRina said.

One other factor is that x-rays are considerably cheaper and less demanding of resources, so when they are ruling out a fracture the x-ray is the first choice.  CT scans not only cost more, they demand more time (and therefore cost) of personnel to complete a CT scan. 

And as stated, if someone continues to have problems they will then follow up with a CT scan or MRI, depending on the case. 

So in the end, your health care provider is the best one to determine whether their patient should have an x-ray or go straight for a CT scan first. 

I am so sorry you are having issues with osteoporosis and experiencing factures.  I know that has to be frustrating.  Just remember that dietary calcium is the best option to supplement calcium.  So while calcium supplements are important, make sure you have a good dietary intake of calcium as well.  

If you haven't already, make sure and speak with your health care provider about your vitamin D level and make sure you are eating foods that are farily good sources of vitamin D.

[Yardlie]

Thank you all for your great advice! I am due for a bone density test when I have my physical in February.

I have not been faithful doing exercise over the years. Also, my physician told me last year to take only 500 mg of calcium pills a day due to the possible cardiac implications. Guess I need to drink more milk...which I have always hated. I have also always been a big soda drinker, so I'm sure that damage has caught up with me also. I need to reform my eating habits...more Vitamin D also!

It is interesting that one person mentioned that MRI's were the preferred method for orthopedic injuries. The ortho doctor that I had last fall for my ankle told me that CT scans were preferred for bone injures, and MRI's were preferred for soft tissue injuries. I guess that is just one more thing that modern medicine is not clear on.

Obviously, the most exercise I can get right now is just walking. Maybe after I get the "all clear" from my spine doc I will begin doing some water exercise in a pool to start out.

Thanks again for all the valuable advice!  

[pitdakota]

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@Brinklii wrote:

Thank you all for your great advice! I am due for a bone density test when I have my physical in February.

I have not been faithful doing exercise over the years. Also, my physician told me last year to take only 500 mg of calcium pills a day due to the possible cardiac implications. Guess I need to drink more milk...which I have always hated. I have also always been a big soda drinker, so I'm sure that damage has caught up with me also. I need to reform my eating habits...more Vitamin D also!

It is interesting that one person mentioned that MRI's were the preferred method for orthopedic injuries. The ortho doctor that I had last fall for my ankle told me that CT scans were preferred for bone injures, and MRI's were preferred for soft tissue injuries. I guess that is just one more thing that modern medicine is not clear on.

Obviously, the most exercise I can get right now is just walking. Maybe after I get the "all clear" from my spine doc I will begin doing some water exercise in a pool to start out.

Thanks again for all the valuable advice!  

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____________________________________________________

@Yardlie, it was @SaRina  that posted about the fact that the MRI can be used, but she didn't say they were preferred for orthopedic injuries.  

MRIs may be particularly useful after a particular type of fracture has been identified to determine involvement of tendons or ligaments in that particular injury.  

But no one here said the MRI was preferred, so I just wanted to clear that up for you so it doesn't cause you more concern.  We all stated the x-ray was the standard and preferred diagnostic test for a suspected fracture.