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  • Title: Acute low back pain: assessment and management.
    Author: Wilk V.
    Journal: Aust Fam Physician; 2004 Jun; 33(6):403-7. PubMed ID: 15253600.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Back pain is a common presenting problem in Australian general practice. Serious causes, however, are rare. Tumours, infections and fractures account for less than 1% of cases and can usually can be recognised or excluded by taking a careful history. Patients should expect a good outcome. OBJECTIVE: This article summarises the management of acute low back pain and sets out the key points in history taking including alerting factors for serious disorders, and psychosocial factors that enable a rational management plan. DISCUSSION: A specific cause of pain need not be established for appropriate management to be instituted, with the active engagement of the patient as partner. Although no pattern of pain is diagnostic, a sudden onset of unremitting pain should be regarded as a 'red flag' to a serious underlying disorder. In accordance with evidence based principles, clinicians need to take into account previous experience, personal preferences, and cultural factors when recommending therapy for individual patients.
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