yes the xray will show if your vertabrae are fused, if you have arthritis, if one of your vertabrae have slipped and if you have scoliosis. it will not show a herniated disc and it will not show spinal stenosis.
but basser i am going to disagree. mild djd at one disc does not warrant an mri. if the op is complaining of serious, crippling pain, then other films would be in order.
i have inflammatory arthritis which shows up in my lab work as my blood sed rate was off the charts. the op's bloodwork apparently is normal so i can understand the doctor not wanting to order any more tests. if the op is not happy, he can bitch up the food chain and/or go to a civilian doctor.
if it were me, i would start with the patient advocate and go up to the chief medical officer. if necessary, i would also alert my local news outlets. and there is always an email to secretary mcdonald!!