Low back pain: pitfalls in management.
As for so many presenting problems, the management of low back pain is besieged by several pitfalls. Most of these pitfalls can be blamed on 'not knowing and not looking'. It is important, therefore, to be familiar with the various causes of low back pain and recognise their clinical patterns. In particular it is vital to be aware of the pain patterns of serious spinal disease, such as neoplasia and infection, and to recognise the difference in pain patterns of inflammatory and mechanical disorders and tailor treatment accordingly. In many patients mechanical and inflammatory patterns can co-exist to produce a combined profile (Figure 1). Early accurate diagnosis should be the main objective in the management of low back pain.
Murtagh
J
J
Department of Community Medicine, Monash University, Victoria.
D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy