An X-ray gives a picture of your bones. It can show fractures, alignment problems, spurs, bone degeneration, and bone abnormalities. It can also suggest whether tumors or infections might be present.

Your doctor may be doing an X-ray to help diagnose your condition. Or the X-ray may be a way to document the state of your bones right now. Further X-rays over time can then help track the progression of your condition. In many cases, doctors use an X-ray as a preliminary look at your bones. Further imaging studies, including MRIs or CT scans, may then be used to look more specifically at your bones and the tissues around them.