Nobody wants to wait for a long time in the emergency room when they feel unwell or have been injured. Nowadays, urgent care X-rays give patients an easy and affordable way to have imaging done outside a hospital. 

But a lot of people continue to ask this question: can you get X-rays done at urgent care clinics? Absolutely. Will urgent care take X-rays? Absolutely ,and they make sure it is done efficiently. Now, urgent care doctors are able to diagnose many conditions using immediate X-rays. An X-ray could be used to check if you have a sprain, a broken bon,e or a regular cough.

We’re here to explain everything you need to do when you need an X-ray at an urgent care center.

Common Conditions Diagnosed with X-Rays at Urgent Care

Here are some of the most common conditions that benefit from diagnostic testing urgent care centers can provide with X-rays:

1. Broken Bone Diagnosis Urgent Care

Urgent care X-ray services are used most often to help find broken bones. Diagnosing a broken bone after a slip, fall or accident, X-rays are used by urgent care teams to see if a bone is fractured, dislocated or just bruised. They are used to decide if you should wear a cast, splint or be sent to an orthopedic specialist.

2. Sports Injury X-Ray

Players at any level often experience injuries during their games. Sports injuries such as sprains, harm to ligaments and little fractures, can be noticed on an X-ray. Being given a fast X-ray at urgent care ensures you can get treatment right away and stay out of danger.

3. Pediatric X-Ray Urgent Care

Falls and injuries often happen to children, and most urgent care centers have the facilities for pediatric X-ray urgent care. People working there use simple procedures and equipment when treating children, making them feel more comfortable. If a child needs imaging for a possible broken arm or a check for a cough, pediatric teams are very careful.

4. Chest X-Rays for Respiratory Concerns

X-rays are part of the evaluation for recurring coughing, pain in the chest, or trouble breathing. Doctors may discover that someone has pneumonia, bronchitis, or accumulated fluid in the lungs. Your treating doctor might perform a chest X-ray if you are feeling these symptoms.

5. Abdominal X-Rays

Taking a picture of the abdomen can allow doctors to find any blockage, kidney stones or strange gas patterns in people experiencing such symptoms. These are helpful X-rays you do not have to visit the ER for, making things simpler.

6. Joint and Bone Pain Evaluations

Joint pain may come from arthritis, overuse, or a recent injury. If someone uses urgent care X-rays for knees, shoulders, or hips, it is possible to find indications of degeneration, inflammatio,n or alignment issues. Quick imaging allows doctors to start physical therapy or pain treatments right away for the patient.

7. Spine and Neck Injuries

Having whiplash, strained muscles or injured the back from an accident or fall is another reason patients can come to urgent care centers. The spinal column and neck are examined with X-rays to judge if there are any problems or dislocations before proceeding with more care.

8. Follow-Up Imaging

Certain patients attend urgent care to get follow-up images after an accident or treatment. Having a second X-ray done at an urgent care center helps ensure proper healing or no issues develop in your bones.

Patient receiving X-ray at urgent care clinic

What to Expect During Urgent Care X-Ray

Not sure what to expect during urgent care X-ray visits? The process is usually quick and straightforward:

  1. Walk-in X-ray clinic check-in: you’ll fill out a form or sign in digitally.
  2. A medical provider will evaluate your symptoms and determine if an X-ray is necessary.
  3. If approved, a licensed radiologic technologist will take the X-rays.
  4. The images are reviewed by a medical professional or radiologist.
  5. Results are typically available within minutes to an hour, and treatment can begin immediately if needed.

This streamlined process is part of the appeal of fast X-ray services at urgent care clinics.

Non-Emergency X-Ray Options

If your condition isn’t life-threatening but still needs quick imaging, urgent care is a top choice for non-emergency X-ray options. Instead of waiting for days to schedule imaging through a primary care provider, you can be seen on the same day—no appointment needed.

Not every injury or health concern requires a visit to the emergency room. In fact, many imaging needs can be addressed more efficiently and affordably through non-emergency X-ray options available at urgent care centers.

Digital X-ray device used for diagnostic imaging

What Are Non-Emergency X-Rays?

Non-emergency X-ray options refer to imaging services used for conditions that are not immediately life-threatening but still require prompt evaluation. These may include minor fractures, joint pain, unexplained swelling, or persistent coughs. Patients experiencing these issues often benefit from visiting a walk-in X-ray clinic instead of waiting days or weeks for a primary care appointment or paying steep hospital fees.

Conditions That May Require Non-Emergency X-Rays:

  • Suspected sprains or simple fractures
  • Mild to moderate sports injuries
  • Chronic joint or back pain
  • Persistent or recurring respiratory symptoms
  • Digestive discomfort that may suggest blockage or stones
  • Follow-up imaging to monitor healing progress

In all these cases, urgent care clinics provide fast X-ray services that help you understand your condition and begin treatment faster, often within the same visit.

Benefits of Non-Emergency X-Ray Services at Urgent Care

  • No appointment needed: Walk in and get seen quickly
  • Affordable pricing: The urgent care X-ray cost is often much lower than hospital imaging services
  • Convenient hours: Evening and weekend availability for busy schedules
  • Comprehensive care: Imaging and evaluation happen in one visit, under one roof
  • Minimal wait times: Faster than emergency rooms or referrals from a primary doctor

Ideal for Working Professionals, Parents, and Athletes

If you’re managing a busy schedule, caring for kids, or training regularly, non-emergency X-ray options at urgent care offer a hassle-free path to diagnosis and peace of mind. Whether it’s a sports injury X-ray, pediatric X-ray urgent care, or a quick check on a nagging pain, urgent care centers deliver timely answers without the delays or costs of hospital-based imaging.

Urgent Care X-Ray Cost

One of the biggest advantages of choosing an urgent care clinic is the affordability. The urgent care X-ray cost typically ranges between $50 to $200 depending on the type of X-ray and your location. That’s significantly lower than hospital ER charges, which can run several hundred dollars more for the same imaging.

Doctor reviewing diagnostic X-ray results on screen

Why Choose Fast X-Ray Services at Urgent Care?

Here are a few reasons patients prefer fast X-ray services at urgent care over emergency rooms:

  • Shorter wait times
  • Lower costs
  • No appointment necessary
  • Immediate results and treatment
  • Accessible evening and weekend hours

Whether you need a sports injury X-ray, a pediatric X-ray urgent care service, or a broken bone diagnosis urgent care, walk-in centers provide convenience and peace of mind when you need it most.

Conclusion

So, does urgent care do X-rays? Yes—and they do it quickly, affordably, and effectively. With cutting-edge diagnostic testing urgent care services and radiology services urgent care centers increasingly offer, there’s no need to delay care for injuries or other conditions that need immediate evaluation.If you’re dealing with a sprain, fracture, or respiratory concern, consider visiting a walk-in X-ray clinic near you. With fast X-ray services and non-emergency X-ray options, urgent care is a smart first stop on your road to recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, most urgent care centers can perform X-rays for broken bones and provide initial diagnosis and treatment. Severe fractures may require referral to a specialist.

Absolutely. Many clinics offer chest X-rays to check for pneumonia, bronchitis, and other respiratory issues—no appointment needed at most locations.

Yes, most modern urgent care centers are equipped with X-ray machines for diagnosing injuries and internal conditions quickly and conveniently.

The urgent care X-ray cost typically ranges from $50 to $250, depending on the type of X-ray and your insurance coverage.

Urgent care centers generally accept insurance for X-rays. It’s best to confirm with your provider to understand what’s covered under your plan.

Urgent care centers do not handle life-threatening emergencies, complex surgeries, or advanced imaging like MRIs or CT scans. These require ER or hospital visits.

X-rays at urgent care usually cost between $50 and $250. Prices vary based on the scan and whether you’re paying out of pocket or using insurance.

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