Utilization of Imaging in Young Athletes with Low Back Pain.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sports medicine physicians routinely evaluate and treat young athletes-children and adolescents (6-18 years) participating in organized sports-with extension-based low back pain (EBLBP). This condition is most often associated with spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, stress reaction, or other mechanical causes. However, there is no consensus regarding the appropriate use and timing of imaging in this population, particularly given concerns about radiation exposure and health care costs.

Purpose

To describe the imaging practices of sports medicine physicians managing young athletes with EBLBP and to identify physician and contextual factors associated with potential overutilization, in order to inform evidence-based recommendations.

Methods

A 13-question onlin

SUBMITTER: Winslow J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12863450 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature