back pain Flashcards
1
Q
general red flags in back pain
A
failure to improve after 4-6 weeks of conservative therapy
unrelenting night pain or pain at rest
progressive motor or sensory deficit
2
Q
cancer red flags in back pain
A
age > 50
unintended weight loss
history of cancer
pain at night and in recumbency
3
Q
when would you use an xray for back pain
A
young men: SI-joint to exclude ank spond
elderly: to exclude vertebral collapse, other fractures, malignancy
4
Q
treatment of sciatica
A
initially conservative
unless red flags
maybe surgical intervention
