title: Anterior spinal tenderness in low-back pain syndromes.
abstract: This paper describes the clinical sign of anterior tenderness of the lumbar spine in patients with low-back pain, the method of examination recommended, and the possible significance of such tenderness. The precise mechanism of this tenderness is not clear because of a lack of knowledge of the neuroanatomy of the anterior part of the spine. Anterior palpation of the lumbar spine should be considered part of a full routine examination in patients with low-back pain. Long-term follow-up and observations will be required before the full significance of this sign is revealed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010173:Palpation; D013131:Spine / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology; D013577:Syndrome