Back pain question please?

Question

My brother has been complaining about back pain for the longest time but when he got an Xray nothing showed up. No disks broken or nothing I wasn't in the doctors office with him so i don't know what they talked about.. When i see him in pain it looks genuine but i have my doubts he might be lying to get off work.He was in a huge accident a few years back but he barley said anything about his back (just the odd times he would complain about it sore). My question is could this sneak up on him after years of a wreck and how come nothing was spotted on Xray. The doctor did put him on some pain killers so i am a bit confused. Why would a doctor put him on severe pain killers if he can not identify it on Xray. He needs to go back next week again. Is there something that maybe was overlooked or is there a way back pain(lower) wont show up on Xray

Answer 1

He needs an MRI.  I had plenty of back x-rays, but only when I had an MRI did they find the cause of my pain.