Low Back Pain

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1. Describe physical findings on examination of a patient with low back pain which suggest nerve root or spinal cord compression as its etiology.

2. Outline an approach to the office evaluation of a patient presenting with an initial acute episode of back pain.

3. List common abdominal and pelvic diseases that may present as low back pain.

4. Describe a management plan for treatment of a patient with low back pain of musculoskeletal etiology.

5. List the indications and limitations of the following in determining the etiology back pain; plain x-rays, CT scan, MRI.

6. Describe patient factors which may hinder clinical improvement of low back pain symptoms.

Sources:

Family Medicine:  Ambulatory Care and Prevention, Chapter 44, Pages 273-277

Essentials of Family Medicine, Chapter 37, Pages 579-588

"Evaluation and Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain" Scott Kinkade, M.D., M.S.P. H., University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas TX, American Family Physician, April 15, 2007.