Most students look at an X-ray and immediately ask: “Sir, what is the diagnosis?” Instead, ask these 5 questions: 1️⃣ Is it the correct X-ray? Which bone?Which side?Which view? Never start interpreting before orienting yourself. 2️⃣ Is there a fracture? Look carefully at: • Cortex • Joint surfaces • Alignment Follow the bone completely from one end to the other. 3️⃣ If there is a fracture, where is it? Think: 📍 Proximal 📍 Middle 📍 Distal Then ask: 📍 Extra-articular? 📍 Intra-articular? 4️⃣ What is the pattern? Ask: • Transverse? • Oblique? • Spiral? • Comminuted? The fracture pattern often reveals the mechanism of injury. 5️⃣ What could I miss? Always check: ✅ Joint dislocation ✅ Neurovascular risk ✅ Additional fractures ✅ Open injury clues 🎯 The 30-Second Rule Don’t memorize fractures. Learn a system. A system works on every X-ray. Memorization works on only one. 🦴 Clinical Pearl The most dangerous mistake in Orthopaedics is not missing the fracture. It’s stopping after finding the first one. What is the most difficult X-ray you’ve ever had to interpret? Drop it below. 👇 — Dr Arnav Kadian Life in Orthopaedics Where Healing Meets Movement 🦋