FM Flashcards
What questions should be asked on a back pain history?
1) Where is the pain worst?
- Differentiate between back/buttock dominant and leg pain
2) Is the pain constant?
- If yes, need to rule out red flags
3)What increases your typical pain?
4) Is there anything you cannot do now because of your pain?
- Trying to screen for yellow flags to help ascertain psychosocial RFs
5) Have you had any unexpected accidents with your bowel or bladder since back pain started?
- Rule out Acute Cauda Equina
6) If age of onset <45 are you experiencing morning stiffness in your back >30mins?
- Screen for systemic inflammatory arthritis
Back Pain Patterns
- Back Dominant: worse with flex ion (+/-extension)>Disc Pain ex. Degenerative disc
- Back Dominant: worse with extension> Facet Joint Pain ex. Facet joint OA
- Leg Dominant: worse with any movement >Compressed Nerve Pain ex. Herniated disc
- Leg Dominant: worse with standing and walking> Neurogenic Claudication/Spinal Stenosis
If doesn’t fit these patterns, likely non-mechanical back pain
Acute Cauda Equina involves…
Urinary retention followed by insensible urinary overflow
Unrecognized fecal incontinence
Loss of saddle/perineal sensation
Initial pharm treatment of mechanical back pain involves…
Acetaminophen followed by NSAIDs
Back Pain Red Flags
“NIFTI”
Neurological: Diffuse motor/sensory loss, progressive neurological deficits, Claudia Equina syndrome
Infectious: Fever, IVDU, immunosuppression
Fracture: Trauma, OP risk, fragility #
Tumour: Hx of malignancy and constitutional sx
Inflammatory: chronic back pain >3mo, age <45, >30min morning stiffness, improves with activity, disproportionate night pain
Back Pain Red Flag investigations
“NIFTI”
Neurological—MRI
Infectious—MRI + X-ray
Fracture—X-ray +/- CT
Tumour—MRI + X-ray
Inflammatory—Rheum Consult
Yellow flag questions to ask about back/neck pain
1) Do you think your pain will improve or worsen?
2) Do you think you would benefit from activities, movement or exercise?
3) How are you emotionally coping with back pain?
4) What tx or activities do you think will help you recover?
Systemic inflammatory arthritis screen for back pain (if morning stiffness >30 min)
- Age <45
- Insidious Onset
- Improves with exercise
- No improvement with rest
- Pain at night (improves with getting up)
Non mechanical back pain can be related to:_____ or ______
Spine or Non-Spine
Consider referred pain from internal organs
3 locations that mechanical neck pain can present
- Neck
- Shoulder
- Arm
What questions should be asked on a Neck Pain History?
1) Where is the pain worse?
- Neck vs Shoulder vs Arm
2) Is the pain constant?
- Rule out red flag sx
3) Assess for potential cardiac etiology
- Chest pain, Dizziness, SOB
4) Assess for associated symptoms and changes
- Surgical evaluation to r/o degenerative cervical myelopathy if changes in gait/walking/balance, fine motor issues, new onset tingling/numbness in arms/hands
5) Did neck pain begin with trauma, accident or fall?
- Check for concussion symptoms
6) Is there anything you cannot do now that you could before pain?
- Assess yellow flags, psychosocial risks
7) If age <60 at onset, do you have morning neck stiffness >30mins?
Neck Pain Red Flags
“NIFTI”
Neurological: progressive neurological deficit, cervical cord compression, demyelinating process
Infectious: Fever, IVDU, Immunosuppresion, Meningismus
Fracture: Trauma, OP risks, fragility fractures
Tumour: History of malignancy and constitutional sx
Inflammatory: RA, PMR, GCA
Neck Pain Red Flag Investigations
“NIFTI”
Neurological: MRI
Infectious: MRI + Xray
Fracture: Xray +/- CT
Tumour: MRI + Xray
Inflammatory: Rheum Consult
Systemic Inflammatory arthritis screen for neck pain (if morning stiffness >30 min) involves….
- Age <60
- Insidious Onset
- Improves with exercise
- No improvement with rest
- Pain at night (improves with getting up)
Treatment of acute/subacute back pain (<12 weeks) involves:
1) Patient education
2) Prescribe self-care (ex. Alternating cold and heat)
3) Encourage early return to work
4) Physical activity/exercise
5) Consider analgesics
6) F/U in 1-6 weeks, if not improving consider referral ex. Physical therapist
In what order should analgesics be considered for acute/subacute back pain?
Acetaminophen> NSAIDs> Muscle Relaxants> Opioids
Recovery position/Starter exercise for Pattern 1 back pain
Prone extension; 10 reps TID
Recovery position/Starter exercise for Pattern 2 back pain
Seated back flexion; small frequent reps throughout day
Recovery position/Starter exercise for Pattern 3 back pain
Z position; advise frequent position changes
Recovery position/Starter exercise for Pattern 4 back pain
Rest in seated position; advise frequent sitting breaks and support with walking/standing
Treatment of chronic back pain (>12 weeks involves)
1) Prescribing exercises
2) Analgesics
3) Community-based referrals ex. CBT
4) Consider additional options ex. Massage, aqua therapy
5) If mod-severe: opioids, consider additional referrals ex. Multidisciplinary pain program
In what order should analgesics be considered for chronic back pain?
Acetaminophen> NSAIDS> TCAs or weak opioids> Tramadol> Strong opioids
Cyclobenzaprine can be used for flare ups
Muscle relaxants not recommended for _____neck dominant pain
Chronic neck dominant pain
Treatment of acute neck dominant pain (<3 months):
Educate, Reassure, Encourage early return to work, Independent exercises, consider referral to activity therapy as needed, 1-6 to sessions, analgesics (acetaminophen, NSAIDs, add/replace with cyclobenzaprine short term)