X-ray - lumbosacral spine; X-ray - lower spine
A lumbosacral spine x-ray is a picture of the small bones (vertebrae) in the lower part of the spine. This area includes the lumbar region and the sacrum, the area that connects the spine to the pelvis.
The test is done in a hospital x-ray department or your health care provider's office by an x-ray technician. You will be asked to lie on the x-ray table in different positions. If the x-ray is being done to diagnose an injury, care will be taken to prevent further injury.
The x-ray machine will be placed over the lower part of your spine. You will be asked to hold your breath as the picture is taken so that the image will not be blurry. In most cases, 3 to 5 pictures are taken.
Tell your provider if you are pregnant. Take off all jewelry.
There is rarely any discomfort when having an x-ray, although the table may be cold.
Often, your provider will treat a person with low back pain for 4 to 8 weeks before ordering an x-ray.
The most common reason for lumbosacral spine x-ray is to look for the cause of low back pain that:
Lumbosacral spine x-rays may show:
Though some of these findings may be seen on an x-ray, they are not always the cause of back pain.
Many problems in the spine cannot be diagnosed using a lumbosacral x-ray, including:
There is low radiation exposure. X-ray machines are checked often to make sure they are as safe as possible. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits.
Pregnant women should not be exposed to radiation, if at all possible. Care should be taken before children receive x-rays.
There are some back problems that an x-ray will not find. That is because they involve the muscles, nerves, and other soft tissues. A lumbosacral spine CT or lumbosacral spine MRI are better options for soft tissue problems.
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Kapoor G, Toms AP. Current status of imaging of the musculoskeletal system. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 38.
Parizel PM, Van Thielen T, van den Hauwe L, Van Goethem JW. Degenerative disease of the spine. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 48.
Warner WC, Sawyer JR. Scoliosis and kyphosis. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 44.
BACK TO TOPReview Date: 4/27/2023
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