Low%20back%20pain Signs and Symptoms

• Pain, stiffness, or discomfort in the lower back area below the costal margin or lowest rib and above the gluteal creases
• Also called spinal pain or lumbago

Non-specific Low Back Pain

• Low back pain without identifiable specific causes
• Makes up 85-90% of all low back pain cases
• Also includes pain felt in the proximal lower extremities

Specific Spinal Pathology

• Patients with low back pain with associated 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 with Radiculopathy or Spinal Stenosis

• Dermatomal pain with or without neurologic deficits
• Most often caused by nerve root compression

Duration of Symptoms

Acute

• Onset of symptoms <4 weeks

Subacute

• Symptoms appeared 4-12 weeks prior to consult

Chronic

• Onset of symptoms >12 weeks before consultation
• Continuous or recurrent pain
  • Experience pain for at least half the days in the past 1 year in numerous episodes