HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

Can a ligament tear be noticed on an x-ray or an mri?

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Bryan Reuss answered

Specializes in Orthopedic Surgery

MRI: Ligaments can only be seen on an mri. Xrays are only able to show bones and the relationships between the bones.

Answered 1/6/2019

6.4k views

Thank
Dr. Thomas Deberardino answered

Specializes in Orthopedic Surgery

MRI will show best: X-rays are best suited for revealing bony abnormalities, whereas MRI is best for imaging soft tissue injury.

Dr Keith and another doctor agreed

Answered 6/22/2018

6.2k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

I had a MRI done on the left knee, they found a small tear in my ligament. What do u reccomend?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Very painful hip 2nd MRI shows tear teres ligament. Source of pain? Advice?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

I have a scapholunate ligament tear distance of 5mm according to an MRI. This injury is chronic, is there any other options other than surgery. ?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Still having severe hip pain MRI reveals tear ligament teres. Feels unstable. Drs say normal. It's hard to forget about with the pain. Suggestions?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

MRI: partial tear of talar attach site of anterior talofibular ligament after 6mo. Day1 I said felt tear/loose. Now need surgery. Upset. Other option?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

Are knee injures commonly sprains and torn ligaments, or are breaks more common? What is usually ordered for diagnostic info- MRI or x-ray?
I had a MRI on my ankle, which showed a probable tear of the ligament. What can probable mean?
What should I do if my MRI shows a probable ligament tear?
If someone has a meniscus or ligament tear is okay to to ice in the area? I am in so much pain i don't know what to do until i get my MRI report?
Are ligament tear in the knee shown on a mri? Do they need to be operated on to fix the tear?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.