I do x-rays on lots of my patients because, if you ask for the right images and you know what you are looking for, then they provide an enormous amount of useful information that, taken in conjunction with your history and examination, often allows me to make a diagnosis there and then.
X-rays are excellent for things like fractures and dislocations but are also very good for showing arthritis in the ball and socket joint and AC Joint; calcification in the tendon; signs of a massive rotator cuff tear and subtle signs of tendonitis and for showing subacromial hooks and spurs.
They aren’t very high tech but they are very useful.
