Back Pain

Question 1

Lower back and/or leg pain, saddle anaesthesia (area around buttock), lower limb weakness/numbness/altered sensation, bladder and/or bowel incontinence.

Answer 1

Cauda Equina

Question 2

Sharp lower back/buttocks pain, shooting down one/both legs. Pain worse in buttocks, feet or toes. May cause weakness/numbness in lower limbs.

Answer 2

Sciatica

Question 3

Lower back pain when standing/walking, numbness in buttocks/legs, loss of balance.

Answer 3

Spinal Stenosis

Question 4

Back pain with intermittent spasm, worse on movement, cramping in nature.

Answer 4

Muscular Pain

Question 5

Hypogastric pain, lower back pain/tenderness. Burning/stinging when urinating, increased frequency with reduced output. Confusion, fever.

Answer 5

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Question 6

Severe pain, can radiate into the lower back. Associated dizziness, pale clammy and sweaty skin, nausea/vomiting, syncope, hypotension.

Answer 6

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Question 7

The acronym SPINE stands for…

Answer 7

Saddle anaesthesia
Pain
Incontinence
Numbness
=
Emergency

Question 8

Assessment findings suggesting UTI?

Answer 8

Suprapubic abdominal tenderness, lower back tenderness.

Question 9

Assessment findings suggesting AAA?

Answer 9

May be pulsating mass in the abdomen.