title: Primary care work-up of acute and chronic symptoms.
abstract: Low back pain may present as acute pain or as an acute exacerbation of a chronic pain problem. Acute low back pain is self-limited, with 90% of affected individuals recovering within 3 weeks to 3 months. Pain duration of more than 4 weeks warrants a more complete work-up, including ruling out malignancy. Pain duration of more than 6 months defines chronic pain, which is frequently associated with affective and behavioral components. When taking the history, determine pain intensity, location, pattern of radiation, onset, and duration. A gentle physical exam may help locate the source of pain through palpation and maneuvers, such as the straight leg raise test. Imaging is recommended for patients with a clinical finding that raises suspicion of spinal malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Arnold Pain Management Center, Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chopra
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Upshur
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010808:Physical Examination