Foot X-rays: What They Can Show and When You Need To Get One

If you’re worried about lumps, bumps, unexplained swelling or foot pain, or you're worried about a lack of mobility in your foot, it’s a good idea to have a foot X-ray to help diagnose any problems or concerns. Our guide will talk you through what a foot X-ray can show, when to book one, and the difference between a normal foot X-ray and one that shows any problems. Plus, find out how you can book a foot X-ray within days to find out if you have a broken or fractured bone in your foot, joint problems, foot deformities, cysts or symptoms of arthritis.

What is a foot X-ray, and how does it work?

Like any other X-ray, a foot X-ray (also known as a foot radiograph) uses small doses of radiation to take images of the inside of your foot. An X-ray helps your clinician to look at the tiny bones, joints, and soft tissues within the foot so they can clearly see if there are any fractures or injuries, as well as evidence of health conditions such as arthritis or other problems such as joint deformities. It’s a quick and painless procedure that takes less than 15 minutes.

Your clinician may also recommend a foot X-ray after a broken bone or fracture has healed. It helps them to see if the bone is set properly and aligned correctly, which allows it to heal.

Your technician will ask you to place your foot on an X-ray table during the foot X-ray. They may use objects to help steady and position your foot, such as small sandbags or pillows, as it’s important for the foot to remain still while the technician takes images. They may need to move your foot around a little to get different angles for the X-ray.

How to prepare for a foot X-ray

There’s no special preparation you need to do for your X-ray. Your technician may ask you to remove any jewellery, watches or clothing that could interfere with the X-ray. They may also ask if there’s any chance you could be pregnant, as X-rays are generally not recommended during pregnancy unless it’s an emergency.

When to get an X-ray on your foot

It’s a good idea to get an X-ray of your foot if you experience any of the following symptoms:

persistent pain in the foot, especially after an injury
swelling or tenderness
bruising
a deformity in the foot
difficulty bearing weight on the foot
you’ve had an injury to the foot

What does a foot X-ray show?

A foot X-ray provides a detailed image of your foot's bones, tissues, and joints, which can reveal several factors that cause foot pain or mobility problems.

Foot X-ray anatomy

X-ray foot bones include all the small and medium-sized bones of the foot (26 in total), including the:

Tarsals (heel and midfoot area), including the navicular and cuboid bone and cuneiform bones, the calcaneus (heel bone) and the talus bone (ankle bone).
Metatarsals (forefoot).
Phalanges (toes).

Foot X-ray views

Your technician will take different views of your foot from various angles to help diagnose fractures, breaks, deformities such as bunions and conditions such as arthritis, including:

Oblique foot X-ray: This is taken at an angle to help your technician and clinician see the bones differently.
Anteroposterior (dorsoplantar) foot X-ray: This is taken from above the foot.
Lateral foot X-ray: This is taken from the side of the foot.

Foot X-ray diagnoses

There are several medical diagnoses that a foot X-ray can help with. These include:

Bone fractures or breaks: These can be anything from a simple, clean break to a compound fracture. It’s also possible to diagnose bone displacement, where the bones have been shifted out of their usual positions due to an injury.
Joint problems: A foot bones X-ray can show issues with the joints in the foot, where the bones have become dislocated.
Tumours or cysts: X-rays can detect abnormal benign or malignant growths (tumours) and fluid-filled spots that can form in the bone (cysts).
Health conditions that affect the soft tissues: Although primarily designed to look at problems with the bones, a foot X-ray can also detect soft tissue and joint problems such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, swelling, and calcifications.
Bone deformities: A foot X-ray can show bunions, areas of enlarged bone or tissue around the big toe, where it meets the foot. They can also identify hammer toes, which are abnormal bending of the toe joints, collapse in the foot arch (flat foot), or bony growths in the heel bones (heel spurs).
Foreign bodies: If something has entered the foot and is causing pain, an X-ray can help to identify it, including metal, wood, thorns and glass.

Normal foot X-ray vs fractured or broken foot X-ray

In a normal foot X-ray, all the bones in the foot will look aligned without any gaps or breaks. There should be clear and even joint spaces between the bones of the foot, and you shouldn’t see any shadows or density around the soft tissues that could indicate swelling or inflammation.

A fractured or broken foot bones X-ray may show one or more of several different types of fractures, including:

Simple fracture: A single, clean break in the bone.
Comminuted fracture: Where the bone shatters into several pieces.
Compound fracture: Where the bone pierces through the skin.
Stress fracture: Where there are hairline cracks in the bone.

Can a foot fracture be missed on X-ray results?

Yes, hairline fractures can be missed in X-ray of foot results as they can be challenging to detect early using this imaging technique. If your clinician suspects you may have a hairline fracture, they may recommend having an MRI scan or a bone scan.

Other types of fractures that X-rays can miss include non-displaced fractures. These are breaks in the bones that don’t cause any problems with the bones' alignment, making the break harder to identify.

There are other reasons for missing fractures on an X-ray, including poorly positioned X-rays, which blur the images, missing subtle signs of a fracture. Swelling can also help to disguise or hide some fractures.

How much does a foot X-ray cost (UK)?

The cost of booking a private foot X-ray in the UK can vary, depending on where you live and whether you want the left, the right or both feet to be X-rayed. But private foot X-ray costs can range between £125 and £200 for one foot.

When you book with Scan.com, the price includes a pre- and post-scan consultation with a clinician, a rapid referral to a scanning centre near you without visiting your GP, and digital access to your report and images, with a patient-friendly interactive report to help you understand your results. You can also choose whether you want a left foot X-ray, right foot X-ray, or both feet X-rayed in one procedure.

If you’re unsure whether you need a foot X-ray or a different imaging technique, such as an MRI or a bone scan, our friendly clinicians can help guide you in the right direction during your consultation, and there’s no obligation to have an X-ray or scan. Skip the NHS waiting lists and get the treatment you need faster. Book your foot X-ray today with Scan.com.

Sources:

Bones of the Foot: Tarsals, Metatarsals and Phalanges. (2023). https://teachmeanatomy.info/lower-limb/bones/bones-of-the-foot-tarsals-metatarsals-and-phalanges/

Foot Bone Anatomy. (2015). https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1922965-overview?form=fpf

Foot radiograph (an approach). (2022). https://radiopaedia.org/articles/foot-radiograph-an-approach?lang=gb

Foot X-ray. (2022). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/23500-foot-x-ray

Foot X-Ray. (2023). https://www.drugs.com/health-guide/foot-x-ray.html

Health things you should know in pregnancy. (2022). https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/finding-out/health-things-you-should-know-in-pregnancy/

Pinto, A, et al. (2018). Traumatic fractures in adults: missed diagnosis on plain radiographs in the Emergency Department. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6179080/

X-ray. (2022). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/x-ray/

Foot X-Ray