X ray
An X ray is a painless process that uses radioactive materials
to take pictures of bone. If your doctor suspects vertebral degeneration, X rays
can be used to verify: a decrease in the height of space between discs, bone
spurs, nerve bundle sclerosis (hardening), facet hypertrophy (enlargement), and
instability during flexion or extension of limbs. X rays show bones, but not
much soft tissue, so they will definitely be used if fractures, infections, or
tumors are suspected. During X rays, you will be asked to lie very still on a
table and hold certain positions while photographs are taken of your spine.