Low Back Pain

Question 1

Low Back Pain Mechanical vs Inflammatory

Answer 1

Mechanical

• Varies with posture
• Exacerbated by movement

Inflammatory

• Pain and stiffness on waking
• Improved by movement
• Insidious onset

Question 2

Low Back Pain Red Flags

Answer 2

• Trauma
• Unexplained WL
• Neurological
• Age >50
• Fever
• IVDU
• Steroid use
• History of cancer

Question 3

Low Back Pain Differentials

Answer 3

• Fracture, cancer, infection
• Common cancers that metastasise to spine?
• Bone disorders
• Inflammatory disorders

Question 4

Low Back Pain Investigations

Answer 4

• Only if red flags
• Usually MRI spine
• CT better for bony pathology

Question 5

Low Back Pain Management

Answer 5

-NSAIDS and physio