ROENTGENOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION OF THE LUMBOSACRAL SPINE IN ROUTINE PRE-EMPLOYMENT EXAMINATIONS

¹ Medical Department of the American Locomotive Company, Schenectady

1. The findings in 4,654 roentgen examinations of the lumbosacral spine in routine pre-employment examinations are divided into age groups and the incidence of the various abnormalities encountered is correlated with age.

2. Defects which the author feels to be of actual or potential clinical significance and which are demonstrable by roentgenogram were found in 1,174 applicants or 25.44 per cent. of the persons examined.

3. Approximately 10 per cent. of the applicants were rejected for employment because of spine defects. It is both necessary and desirable to accept for employment a certain number of persons with defects of the spine because of the seniority established by prior employment in the plant. However, as time goes on, the tendency is to adopt more rigid standards for acceptance.

4. A program such as this is not a panacea for the problem of compensation claims due to injury or strain of the back. Many injuries will occur in heavy industry to backs not previously the seat of structural defects. However, it is felt that the program will eliminate a number of claims which are based primarily on structural defects. In addition, in the case of those applicants accepted with defects, a record of pre-existing defects will be useful when it is alleged that subsequent injuries are the cause of defects found. For these reasons and as an aid in the placement of persons with spine abnormalities, it is felt that the cost is more than justified.

5. The program will continue and, after a period of years, it should be possible to report on the incidence of subsequent injuries and resultant claims ins individuals with and without pre-existing structural defects of various types.

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