Usually they want multiple views to give the best visual clues as to what is going on, but you can ask for less views.  Sometimes vets insist on using anesthesia during radiographs, that will make it a lot more expensive, too.  But it isn't that hard for them to briefly hold your pet still, only some pets actually need anesthesia for radiographs.  Especially since it is mostly digital now.
Even if you can't afford x-rays they could tell you what direction to go in.  Just the exam, some advice, like perhaps they'll recommend you give calcium for 30 days like with my ducks, won't be too expensive. Maybe they'll give you metacam for inflammation and pain.   Likely they'll want to do blood work.  And perhaps even viral testing.  It isn't cheap.  But you don't have to do that stuff.