This study aims to test the hypotheses that: - Lumbar spine radiography in primary care patients with low back pain is not associated with improved patient outcomes, including pain, disability, health status, sickness absence, reassurance, and patient satisfaction or belief in the value of radiography.
- Lumbar spine radiography in primary care patients with low back pain is not associated with changes in patient management, including medication use, and the use of primary and secondary care services, physical therapies and complementary therapies.
- Participants choosing their treatment group (i.e. radiography or no radiography) do not have better outcomes than those randomised to a treatment group.
- Lumbar spine radiography is not cost-effective compared with usual care without lumbar spine radiography.