Is an x-ray the only way to know if bone contusions caused stress fractures? or are there symptoms that you can go by? can't get dr. to check for it.

Xray the second best: After an mri. Pain can be severe with a sprain.

Best way: X-rays are usually the best way to decide whether you have a fracture or not, but they are not the only way. Usually a stress fracture does not come from a specific injury, but is the the result of repeated minor stresses or injuries . A fracture is usually tender in a very localized area. Ask the doctor why he doesn't want to do an x-ray. If it does not make sense, ask him again to do x-rays.