Do I Need to Go to the Emergency Room for an X-ray?
Many people assume that they must visit the emergency room if they experience an injury or other condition requiring care. However, urgent care often offers the same services with more convenience. For example, Founders Family Medicine offers x-rays as a vital diagnostic tool. Our healthcare team may order x-rays to determine the cause of a patient’s symptoms and the best course of treatment.
In the emergency room, an x-ray can cost three to five times more than at urgent care. Also, the wait at emergency rooms is usually longer. Consider whether urgent care is the right healthcare solution for you.
How Do I Know If I Need an X-Ray?
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in any part of your body, it is essential to determine the cause. Before you visit your healthcare provider, you may want to discuss your condition by phone. Your practitioner can recommend whether to seek immediate treatment.
A healthcare professional will evaluate your condition at your appointment or visit and determine if an x-ray would offer the best information for an accurate diagnosis.
What Conditions Require an X-Ray?
Your healthcare team may use an x-ray to diagnose a range of conditions, including broken bones, fractures, dislocated joints and other musculoskeletal issues. If you have experienced a fall or injury that could have caused damage to your bones or joints, an x-ray may be necessary.
Chest pain can be a symptom of many different conditions, some of which may require an x-ray. An x-ray can help diagnose the cause of your chest pain and determine the best course of treatment. Common causes of chest pain that may require an x-ray include pneumonia, a broken rib, a collapsed lung, or other conditions.
X-rays can also support the diagnosis of other conditions. Our healthcare team will examine you and determine the best path forward.
What Is the Most Common Reason for an X-Ray?
The most common reason for an x-ray is to diagnose musculoskeletal injuries. At Founders Family Medicine, we often see patients who have suffered an injury from an accident, participating in a sport, or an injury at work.
Most musculoskeletal injuries can be diagnosed and treated at our office. We may also recommend a visit with a specialist, like orthopedics, when needed.
Urgent Care Versus Emergency Room Treatment
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, you should call 911 and seek care at a hospital. However, urgent care may be the best option if your condition is not life-threatening. Urgent care centers offer many of the same services as emergency rooms, with more convenience and often at a lower cost.
Depending on your condition and symptoms, urgent care can typically offer you the necessary care. Urgent care is often the best option for x-rays and other diagnostic tests for many patients. Urgent care centers are generally open longer than primary care offices and can usually provide same-day appointments.
Your Local Family Urgent Care
Founders Family Medicine in Castle Rock is your local healthcare provider. We offer urgent care and family medicine at our clinic. We also provide telehealth visits. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
