title: Radiographic assessment for patients with low back pain.
abstract: Guidelines for radiographs of the lumbar spine are established. In general, radiographs are not believed to be necessary for a first episode of low back pain present for less than 7 weeks. Exceptions to this include various medical or physical findings, which are listed. In general, anteroposterior and lateral views only should be done initially. Indications for other views are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA.
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Guyer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Graham-Smith
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Herzog
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography