Spinal Radiographic Findings and Nonspecific Low Back Pain
SpinePublished 1 February 1997Open access
Maurits W. van Tulder, Willem JJ Assendelft, Bart W. Koes, L.M. Bouter
Citations508
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TL;DR
There is no firm evidence for the presence or absence of a causal relationship between radiographic findings and nonspecific low back pain.
Abstract
There is no firm evidence for the presence or absence of a causal relationship between radiographic findings and nonspecific low back pain.
Keywords
MedicineEngineering
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