A 50-year-old construction worker with chronic low back pain and radicular symptoms asks for imaging. No red flags are present and exam shows no defic...

Question

A 50-year-old construction worker with chronic low back pain and radicular symptoms asks for imaging. No red flags are present and exam shows no deficits. What is the appropriate imaging strategy?

Accepted Answer

No imaging; trial of conservative therapy for up to 6 weeks

Answer

Immediate lumbar MRI

Answer

Lumbar radiographs today

Answer

Order CT myelogram

Answer

Order bone scan

us-abfm MCQ (SBA): Low Back Pain-Imaging Stewardship

A 50-year-old construction worker with chronic low back pain and radicular symptoms asks for imaging. No red flags are present and exam shows no deficits. What is the appropriate imaging strategy?