getting my spine scanned

I have an appointment with my rheumatologist on Friday and recently I have decided the pain in my spine is not normal (worse now while I'm in between medications and beginning earlier in the day, though it could also be due to poor lifting practices with my knee pain)

I'm curious if I should request an X-ray or MRI? Which might I be more likely to get for my first scan of the area?

I also want to request an updated MRI on my knee since I haven't had one since before my most recent surgery but I'm not sure if they will send me back to orthopedics to get one since the surgery was the removal of 40% of my meniscus.

I plan to ask my rheum for both scans regardless, just want to set my expectations and have some sense where I might be headed next.