title: Clinical evaluation of low back pain.
abstract: To properly diagnose and treat low back pain, a thorough history and physical examination are the cornerstones. The most important diagnoses for the physician to be aware of are cauda equina syndrome, back strain, herniated disc, stenosis, and spondylolisthesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Goldsmith
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Wiesel
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D010808:Physical Examination