The first examination is always plain films of the affected site. If plain films are non-diagnostic and stress fracture or shin splints are suspected clinically, the best examination is a single-phase nuclear medicine bone scan. If occult fracture is suspected then a single-phase nuclear medicine bone scan is also recommended, possibly followed by CT or MRI of the affected site for further characterization of the fracture (if the bone scan is positive). In suspected hip fracture or fractures where relatively immediate diagnosis is required the CT or MRI examination should be ordered immediately following the plain films instead of the preliminary step of a single-phase bone scan.