European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the established technique for evaluating the spine. Unfortunately, the supine position of the patient during conventional MRI scanning does not truly reflect the physiological forces experienced by the discoligamentous structures during normal upright posture and ambulation. Upright MRI is a relatively new technique that allows the patient to be scanned in several different weight-bearing positions, which may potentially demonstrate occult pathology not visualised in the supine position. The imaging technique and current clinical indications of upright spinal MRI would be discussed.
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Limited evidence exists on secular trends of analgesics for spinal pain. We investigated general practitioner's (GP) recommendations of analgesic medicines for spinal pain and investigated characteristics associated with their recommendation. ⋯ GP's analgesic recommendations for spinal pain have become increasingly divergent from guideline recommendations over time.