The role of plain film radiography in primary care patients with low back pain

Abstract

The researcher, having worked as a radiographer in the primary health setting for over 15 years, observed that plain film lumbar spine radiography is a very frequently requested examination for patients with low back pain attending at primary health care centers. Although the medical imaging sector is equipped with advanced imaging modalities such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computerized Tomography, that are more sensitive in imaging pathologies of the spine, plain film lumbar spine radiography still constitutes about 12% of all requests for x-ray examinations in the local Primary Health Department. This together with literature reviewed about studies addressing similar issues by foreign researchers prompted the researcher to perform a study regarding the local situation. This study was designed to; 1. Get an insight of the general perception of GPs practicing in primary health about the role of Plain Film Radiography in the determination of the cause of low back pain and its effect on patient management. 2. Determine whether, in fact, Plain Film Radiography contributes to the determination of the cause of low back pain and patient management by studying the outcome from a sample of 30 patients attending for plain film lumbar spine radiography due to low back pain. 3. Compare and determine whether there 1s a correlation between the above outcomes. The study was done at the Paola Health Centre, catering for the primary care needs of patients from the south of Malta. From the results, it was concluded that although in some cases, plain film lumbar spine radiography may contribute to the determination of the cause of low back pain, it was less effective as regards to patient management.