title: Low Back Pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article provides an overview of evaluating and treating low back pain in the outpatient setting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As most cases of acute low back pain have a favorable prognosis, current guidelines on imaging studies recommend conservative treatment for 6 weeks prior to obtaining an MRI if no red flags are present. Of these red flags, a prior history of cancer is the strongest risk factor for a malignant etiology and requires urgent evaluation with MRI. Management of acute low back pain is mainly conservative with oral non-narcotic analgesics and mobilization as the initial recommendations. For patients with radiculopathy, epidural steroids may result in short-term pain relief, but long-term effects are still unclear.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A systematic, evidence-based approach to the patient with low back pain is key to providing safe and cost-efficient care.
authors.forename: Jinny O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Tavee
authors.forename: Kerry H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Levin
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged