Radiography uses ionizing radiation to produce images in which dense structures such as bone appear clearly. It is inexpensive, rapid, and widely available.

Soft tissue detail is limited.

Alternative Names:

Radiograph, Plain Film

Why it Matters?

X-rays are the baseline study and their value in litigation is often what they show about the pre-incident state, since degenerative changes such as disc space narrowing and osteophytes are visible on plain films. A radiograph taken shortly after the incident documenting established degenerative disease is straightforward evidence that the condition predated the event.

Frequently Confused with

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

What do X-rays show in injury cases?

What do X-rays show in injury cases?

Fractures, alignment, and degenerative changes including disc space narrowing and osteophyte formation, which document pre-existing conditions.

What are their limitations?

What are their limitations?

Limited soft tissue detail, so discs, ligaments, and cartilage require MRI for meaningful assessment.