Rheumatology Search
Rheumatology Rheumatology
low%20back%20pain
LOW BACK PAIN
It is pain, stiffness, or discomfort in the lower back area below the costal margin & above the gluteal creases.
Low back pain is also called spinal pain or lumbago.
Nonspecific low back pain is without identifiable specific causes that makes up 85-90% of all low back pain cases.  It also includes pain felt in the proximal lower extremities
Patients with low back pain maybe associated with mobility deficits caused by severe or progressive neurologic disorders or comorbidities.
Specific spinal pathology includes cauda equina syndrome, tumor, infection, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory disorders.
Low back pain associated w/ radiculopathy or spinal stenosis are dermatomal pain w/ or w/o neurologic deficits that most often caused by nerve root compression.

Prevention

  • Strengthening exercises for the spinal area are recommended
  • Smoking contributes to development of back diseases; joining smoking cessation programs may help patients decrease or quit cigarette addiction

Weight loss programs

  • Exercise & weight loss programs may help reduce additional weight pressure on already fragile spinal bones

Follow Up

  • Follow-ups should be more frequent at the start of therapy, then gradually reduced when treatment goals have been established
  • Encourage compliance especially w/ exercise regimens
  • Watch out for yellow flags
  • Evaluate new symptoms thoroughly, especially for presence of red flags

Specialist Referral

  • Patient should be referred to a specialist if control is not achieved despite adequate treatment
  • May refer to Rehabilitation specialist for continuation/maintenance of rehabilitation
  • Consider referral to a surgeon for the following:
    • Preservation of neurological function
    • Presence of tumors, spinal stenosis, disc prolapse associated w/ leg pain, & fractures
Digital Edition
Asia's trusted medical magazine for healthcare professionals. Get your MIMS Rheumatology digital copy today!
Sign In To Download
Editor's Recommendations
Most Read Articles
Physical activity does not increase risk of urological cancer
4 days ago
No association exists between physical activity and the risk of urological cancer, according to a population-based prospective study in Japan.
Childhood-onset inflammatory bowel diseases increase mortality risk
5 days ago
Patients with childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease are more likely to die than the general population, a study suggests.
Caloric restriction improves glucose metabolism, body-fat composition
5 days ago
Reduced caloric intake results in a significant improvement in glucose metabolism and body-fat composition, including liver-fat content, according to a study. Changes in ferritin levels appear to mediate the striking reduction in liver fat.
Time and size key to functional recovery after thrombectomy for large-core stroke
Pearl Toh, 5 days ago
A latest study at ISC 2019 shows that even patients with large-core stroke damage can have a good outcome after mechanical clot removal with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), depending on the size of the infarct and time lapses between stroke onset and treatment.