X-rays help determine whether a bone has been fractured or damaged by conditions such as an infection, arthritis, or other disease.

Other reasons for conventional X-rays on your feet are to:

• Evaluate changes in the bones from infections, arthritis, or other bone disease.
• Assess whether a child's bones are growing normally.
• Locate foreign objects (such as pieces of glass or metal) in a wound.
• Determine whether bones are properly set after treating a fracture.

Pregnant women, especially those in their first trimester, are advised against having X-rays because the radiaiton may harm the unborn child.