The problems of low back pain in Africa.
Discussed in this paper are 227 African patients seen in a private clinic in the period August 1982 to March 1987. During the same period 2201 patients were seen. This constitutes 10%. Most of the sufferers were in the third to fifth decades. The male to female ratio was 1:1.7. The housewife, farmer and the professions of secretaries, teachers and nurses constituted the majority. Under our set up the single most useful investigation was a rediculogram. The various methods of conservative treatment are discussed. The operative methods deployed are also discussed as are indications.
Mulimba
J O
JO
Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001416:Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors