Imaging/X-Ray

Some foot problems may warrant an x-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Stress fractures: If a stress fracture could be the cause of your foot pain, your doctor may want to do some imaging tests such as an x-ray or an MRI. An MRI is a diagnostic scanning tool that can produce images of organs and structures within your body, while x-rays show bones. The MRI scanner uses strong magnetic fields, not x-rays, to create these images. Hydrogen atoms in the patient react to the magnetic fields and a computer analyzes the results to produce a picture.

Achilles tendonitis: Your doctor may do an MRI if there is concern that there may be an Achilles tendon tear. An x-ray may not be used to diagnose you because x-rays show bones, not tendons. But your doctor may order an x-ray to make sure you don't have some other condition.

Bunion: An x-ray of your big toe joint may tell the doctor how bad your problem is.

Heal pain: An x-ray or MRI may be used to make sure your pain isn't from a stress fracture. An x-ray may show your doctor a spur in the bone, but bone spurs are not the cause of pain.

Morton's neuroma: An x-ray may be used to make sure you don't have other problems with your feet.

Plantar fascitis: An x-ray is usually not needed unless other problems, such as a stress fracture, are suspected.

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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.