• Fractures (except recent rib fractures) are picked up by plain x-rays
• CT scanning is especially useful in severe head injuries and in the evaluation of the spine – it has a much higher radiation dose than a plain x-ray
• High resolution ultrasound is a painless method of imaging tendon, muscles and other soft tissues without exposing the young person to radiation
• MRI scanning is excellent for detecting spinal problems, soft tissue injuries to ligaments, tendons and cartilage in the knees and ankles
• Bone scanning in especially useful in detecting stress fractures

Not all injuries will require an x-ray or scan.