title: [When should a patient with low back pain/sciatica be referred to the emergency ward?].
abstract: Low back pain and sciatica are common causes of medical consultation. The medical history and the physical examination are essential in their management. The primary care physician initiates treatment and relies on his physical examination to identify "red flags" that require further investigations. Regarding sciatica, it is essential to identify 3 clinical entities that require prompt referral to the emergency department for prompt neurosurgical management. These include hyperalgic sciatica, sciatica with motor deficits and the cauda equina syndrome. Sciatica with sensory deficits do not require emergency department referral.
authors.affiliation: Département des urgences. SUVA, CHCVs, site de Sion, 1950 Sion. florence.selz@rsv-gnw.ch
authors.forename: Amaudruz Florence
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Selz
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morard
authors.forename: Pierre-Alain
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Buchard
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Frochaux
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010808:Physical Examination; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000175:diagnosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards*; D020426:Sciatic Neuropathy / Q000175:diagnosis; D012585:Sciatica / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy