injuries and poisoning
Hip Fractures
Diagnosis of Hip Fractures
X-rays Sometimes magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography (See also Diagnosis .) Doctors suspect a hip fracture based on the person's description of the injury, symptoms, and results of the physical examination. An x-ray usually shows obvious fractures and can help doctors confirm the diagnosis of a hip fracture. However, x-rays sometimes appear normal even when a fracture is present—for example, when the fracture is small and the fragments are still in place. Thus, if doctors still suspect a hip fracture or if the person continues to have pain and cannot stand a day or more after a fall, they use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to check for small fractures. Computed tomography (CT) is sometimes used, but it is less accurate for detecting small hip fractures. 