A Cross-Sectional Evaluation of Low Back Pain Myths Among Postgraduate Orthopaedic, Neurology, and Physiotherapy Practitioners

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of postgraduate medical doctors of orthopaedic,
neurology and doctors of physical therapy (DPT) regarding the etiology, pathophysiology, and intervention
related aspects of low back pain, as assessed through Deyo's Myths Questionnaire.
Background: Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal problem and a major cause of disability
worldwide. Despite growing evidence on its management, misconceptions about its causes and treatment still
exist among healthcare professionals, which may influence clinical practice and patient care.
Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 240 postgraduate practitioners
(80 orthopedic, 80 neurology, 80 DPT) recruited from Balochistan, with data collection at BMC Quetta,
between August and December 2025. Eligible participants were aged 25 years or above, while practitioners
from other domains and those younger than 25 years were excluded. Deyo's validated Myths Questionnaire,
covering ten domains of common misconceptions about LBP, was administered in paper and electronic
formats. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.2, applying descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to
assess group associations at a significance level of p<0.05.
Results: A total of 242 postgraduate healthcare practitioners participated, with 240 valid responses analyzed.
Participants were equally distributed among Orthopedics, Neurology, and Physiotherapy domains. No
significant association was found between professional domain and gender (p=0.816), while age distribution
differed significantly across groups (p<0.001). Significant inter-domain differences were observed for myths
related to low back pain chronicity, posture, weak core musculature, necessity of surgery, and effectiveness of
medical treatments (p<0.05). Orthopedic and neurology practitioners more frequently endorsed structural and
surgical misconceptions, whereas physiotherapists demonstrated comparatively better awareness of active
and conservative management. No significant differences were noted for myths related to disease severity,
imaging, tissue damage, exercise-related pain, or bed rest.
Conclusion: The persistence of myths among medical practitioners highlights a significant gap in current
training, emphasizing the need to align medical curricula with contemporary evidence-based guidelines and
to incorporate structured educational interventions.