High school athletes and active adults who play and compete in various sports commonly injury a joint or joints through their training and competition- commonly the shoulder, hip, and/or knee joint. Typically if a patient presents with a joint injury, imagining of that joint will be ordered- commonly X-rays or MRI. What advantages and disadvantages do X-rays and MRIs have over one another?
If an athlete presents to a clinic with persistent joint pain from a recent injury should they automatically have an MRI on that joint or go through X-rays and physical therapy and/or at home care first? Should they have both X-rays and a MRI completed? Why or why not? What factors and issues, including financial, should be taken into account with your decision?