Interpreting the spinal X-ray: 1.

It has been assumed that all patients with injury, deformity or pain in the spine should be X-rayed and the films interpreted in the same way regardless of the condition suspected. This is not an effective approach and in part 1 of this article I will discuss the interpretation of the spinal X-ray of the injured patient. The interpretation of spinal X-rays of the patient who complains of pain or deformity will be covered in part 2, to be published in a subsequent issue of the Journal.