HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Spinal X-Ray
Why It Is Done
A spinal X-ray is done to:
- Find the cause of ongoing pain, numbness, or weakness.
- Check for Reference arthritis Opens New Window of the joints between the vertebrae and the breakdown (degeneration) of the discs between the spinal bones.
- Check injuries to the spine, such as fractures or Reference dislocations Opens New Window.
- Check the spine for effects from other problems, such as infections, tumors, or bone spurs.
- Check for abnormal curves of the spine, such as scoliosis, in children or young adults.
- Check the spine for problems present at birth (congenital conditions), such as Reference spina bifida Opens New Window, in infants, children, or young adults.
- Check changes in the spine after spinal surgery.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference March 2, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Reference Howard Schaff, MD - Diagnostic Radiology |
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