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Cervical X-ray (musculoskeletal imaging in primary care)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

  • Cervical spine x-rays
    • should be performed in trauma, to assess bony alignment - e.g. in rheumatoid patients (flexion and extension lateral views) - and to delineate osteoarthritis (OA)

    • in non-traumatic acute neck pain x-ray examination is not usually helpful as most resolves on conservative management, but after 6-8 weeks with no improvement, or if lifestyle is affected or focal neurology demonstrated, or in those with a history of malignancy, specialist referral is indicated

General Indications for x-ray examination

  • Bony tenderness
  • Inability to weight-bear
  • Acute joint pain
  • Gross joint deformity
  • Acute spinal pain in elderly (to rule out osteoporotic wedge fracture)

Reference:

  • 1) Arthritis Research UK (Summer 2013). Hands on - Musculoskeletal imaging for GPs.

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