20/11/2025
🖐 X-ray, CT, or MRI? Here’s what each scan reveals.
And an overview of why your doctor might order one over the other.
Medical imaging offers multiple ways to visualize the human hand, each with unique strengths depending on what healthcare providers are looking for.
An X-ray is the most common and accessible method—it captures clear images of bones, making it ideal for diagnosing fractures, dislocations, and signs of arthritis. It works by passing a small amount of radiation through the body, which is absorbed differently by bone and soft tissue, resulting in a high-contrast image where bones appear white and air appears black.
However, when deeper detail is needed, CT scans (computed tomography) and MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) come into play. A CT scan combines multiple X-ray images to create cross-sectional views, offering more precise information about complex fractures, bone tumors, or joint alignment.
Meanwhile, MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed images of soft tissues—including ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and nerves—making it the go-to tool for diagnosing tendon injuries, ligament tears, or nerve compression in the hand. Together, these imaging types allow doctors to see not just the bones, but the full complexity of the hand’s anatomy.
Source: Mayo Clinic; Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
