X-Ray is the most common test performed today, are widely used today and are often called radiographs. An x-ray would most likely be performed when spine or extremity pain (e.g. leg, arm) is severe or chronic and progressive.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is one of the most sensitive diagnostic tools.
For patients who are claustrophobic (claw-stro-foe-bick, fear of confinement) open-air MRI equipment is available. These patient-friendly imaging tables produce an excellent image without confinement in an imaging tube. Medicine to relax the patient is available and can be administered prior to the test.