title: Low back pain, radiculopathy, and bilateral proximal hamstring ruptures: a case report.
abstract: Low back pain (LBP) is a common complaint in the United States, with an incidence of 6.3%-15.4% and yearly recurrence in 54%-90% of patients.1 Trends show more frequent diagnostic testing, opioid use, and surgical intervention as the incidence of LBP increases.2 LBP is defined as pain at and near the lumbosacral region that can vary with physical activity and time. LBP is usually related to pathology of muscles, ligaments, spinal column joints, nerve roots, and the spinal cord. During the assessment of LBP, practitioners must also consider less common causes of pain in that region. For instance, patients with indolent or nighttime pain may have infectious or malignant processes. Referred pain from injuries to pelvic musculature or abdominal contents should be considered, especially following a traumatic event. One of these injuries, which can present as acute low back pain, is rupture of the proximal hamstring tendon. On rare occasion, concomitant LBP, radiculopathy, and hamstring injuries can occur;. This diagnostic challenge is described in the following case.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital.
authors.forename: Matthew E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Deren
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital.
authors.forename: Steven F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: DeFroda
authors.affiliation: Wesleyan University, Southern New England Rehabilitation Center, Providence. RI.
authors.forename: Nita H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Mukand
authors.affiliation: Southern New England Rehabilitation Center, Sargent Rehabilitation Center, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Tufts University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Jon A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mukand
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012421:Rupture / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Proximal hamstring rupture; low back pain; radiculopathy