Information for the public
Finding out if you have broken a bone
X‑rays and scans are often needed to find out if and where a bone is broken and how much damage there is.
X-rays
X-rays are generally taken to help to find out what is wrong and to draw up a possible treatment plan. If healthcare professionals think that you have broken your knee or ankle, they should follow a set of rules (known as the Ottawa rules) to decide if you need an X‑ray.
It's important that all healthcare professionals involved in your care have the final report of any X‑rays to help with diagnosis and treatment. For this reason, NICE has said that before you leave the emergency department a written report of your X‑rays should be available for healthcare professionals involved in your care.
MRI
A scaphoid fracture is a break in a small bone on the thumb side of the wrist. It usually causes pain and swelling at the bottom of the thumb. Scaphoid fractures can be easily missed and if untreated can cause long‑term problems such as osteoarthritis. If healthcare professionals think that you might have a scaphoid fracture, they may offer you a type of scan called an MRI scan.