is it possible to have an x-ray and not see the broken bone because of swelling !

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Not possible. You just bruised it really bad. Just elevate it, take some advil and put ice on it.

An x-ray measures densities, swelling (aka fluid/blood) is still much less dense than bone, so It's not a matter of if the swelling blocks you from seeing a break because it doesn't. However, if it's a very minor break occasionally it can be missed. You can go back 14 days after the injury and do a repeat x-ray and they can see where the bone is healing even with a minor break. The treatment really won't be any different though, but if you really want to know you can get another one. You need to keep weight off the foot and use crutches until the swelling goes down. Even a sprained ankle will cause pain and swelling like that which is my guess on what you have but it could be a minor fracture.

4th year student doctor

Yes, it is possible to get an x-ray and get a negative reading because of swelling. This happened to me with a broken (cracked) bone in my wrist. It was 4 weeks later when the swelling went down and then the minor crack appeared in the x-ray. I then had a cast for 6 months!

1) That suuuuucccckkkks

2) You should go back to them and tell them that its hurting more and that you're really worried about it

3) Ask them to take another X-ray