Choose Wisely: Do You Really Need an X-ray?

X-rays have been invaluable to health care since they were discovered in the late 1800s. While they may be considered “routine practice” by some, they have also been shown to pose a potential health risk due to exposure to radiation.¹ High doses of radiation exposure may increase cancer risk. The tests may also reveal “incidental findings” - changes that are unrelated to the reason the test was ordered, but which often lead to needless worry and unnecessary follow-up tests and procedures.²

Choosing Wisely Alberta is part of a Canadian movement to help patients, physicians, and other health-care providers engage in conversations about tests, treatments, and procedures that have been identified as being of low or no value to inform patient-care decisions. The campaign highlights practices that patients and health professionals should question. Routinely ordering x-rays for low back pain is a practice that the campaign has highlighted as being of low or no value.²

But I have significant back pain, shouldn’t I have an x-ray?

Studies have shown that 95% of back pain is categorized as “non-specific low back pain.”³ This means the pain or stiffness cannot be attributed to a specific cause, structure or disease.

Most episodes of low back pain resolve within a couple of weeks without any treatment.²

As part of their assessment, health-care professionals, including physiotherapists, take a thorough history and complete a physical exam. They do so to answer important questions that help determine if there is a clear “cause” for pain and to look for warning signs.

Signs or “red flags” that may require urgent investigation and treatment include:²

• A history of cancer
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever
• Recent infection
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Abnormal reflexes, or loss of muscle power or feeling in the legs

If none of these signs are present, an x-ray is not indicated. Instead, self-care measures are recommended, which may include:²

• Staying active
• Using heat to relax muscles
• Considering the use of over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers or anti-inflammatories.
• Finding positions that allow comfortable rest and sleep
• Talking to a health-care professional, such as a physiotherapist, if symptoms do not improve in a few days or if symptoms worsen.

I did have an x-ray and it shows I have Degenerative Disc Disease – that’s really serious, right?

Despite the name, Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is not actually a disease.

DDD is a condition related to the normal changes to the bones and other structures of the spine that occur to varying degrees as people age.

Research has shown that these changes in the spine are common, usually develop slowly over time, and often don’t correlate with symptoms of pain or stiffness.

• Up to 77% of people under 50 years of age and more than 90% of people over 50 show evidence of DDD on MRIs.⁴
• From 37% of 20-year-olds to 96% of 80-year-olds show these changes without ever having pain in their neck or back.⁵

In other words, changes in x-rays don’t automatically relate to pain and would not change treatment recommendations, including self-management.

Will an x-ray tell me if I have arthritis?

When people talk about arthritis, they are usually referring to osteoarthritis (OA). OA is a gradual wearing down of joint cartilage and changes to bone that can cause pain and stiffness. Although there are other types of arthritis, OA is by far the most common and affects millions of people worldwide.6 Knees, hips, hands, and the spine are the joints most commonly affected.

As we age and use our joints, the firm, rubbery and slippery cartilage that covers the ends of bones breaks down and wears away. This can result in the swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joints. Eventually, the bone surfaces themselves start to break down. These changes to the cartilage and bone also occur slowly. Studies show that 88% of middle age or elderly people have joint changes on x-ray even when there are no previous complaints of knee pain. Individuals may experience the pain and stiffness associated with OA well before changes show up on x-ray.

Therefore, it is important that diagnosing OA and planning the appropriate treatment be based on an assessment and the person’s daily function rather than an x-ray. An x-ray alone will not identify the presence or absence of osteoarthritis and may, in fact, do harm. An incorrect diagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment, increased worry about causing or worsening symptoms, decreased activity and overall loss of function.

Treatment for pain and stiffness in any joint should be aimed at managing symptoms, making changes in lifestyle to avoid damage to the joint, and assisting individuals to keep fit and active. The desired outcome is to maintain or improve function and to prevent or postpone the need for surgical interventions such as joint replacements.

I have shoulder pain, so I should have an x-ray, right?

• Up to 6% of the population consults their health-care provider every year with complaints of shoulder pain
• The lifetime probability of experiencing shoulder pain is as high as 67%
• Subacromial pain disorder (SAP) is responsible for up to 85% of shoulder pain-related medical visits⁸

SAP symptoms include pain in and around the shoulder itself and may be caused by injury or overuse of soft tissues such as muscles or ligaments. X-rays do not provide a clear picture of soft tissues; they are of limited value in determining treatment plans for SAP.

As with DDD, there is a high possibility that any bony changes noted on the x-ray are not the cause of symptoms and may have been present long before the current problem occurred.⁸

A physiotherapist will complete a clinical examination that includes the history of the problem, other possible sources of pain and the specific movements or positions that reproduce the pain. This can provide the information needed to confirm the source of the problem and develop an appropriate treatment plan. If the physiotherapist has concerns that something more serious is going on they will recommend further evaluation and/or investigation.

In summary

X-rays have an appropriate time and a place. However, for most non-traumatic problems the value of a diagnostic image is very limited therefore, these images are not needed. Conservative, non-invasive management addressing pain and loss of function is often the first step. Overuse of diagnostic imaging is costly for the health system, but more importantly, it leads to unnecessary exposure to radiation, often leads to additional unnecessary tests and treatments, and can create unnecessary worry. If you are having joint pain your physiotherapist will complete an assessment, rule out the need for diagnostic imaging and provide you with treatment for your symptoms. If diagnostic imaging is advised, your physiotherapist may be able to order the diagnostic imaging or will refer you to a physician who can.

Page updated: 20/01/2023