Mechanical back pain

Question 1

What is mechanical back pain?

Answer 1

Mechanical back pain is characterised by recurrent relapsing and remitting back pain with no neurological symptoms

Question 2

Who is most likely to develop mechanical back pain?

Answer 2

Ages 20-55

Question 3

What are some risk factors of mechanical back pain?

Answer 3

• Obesity
• Poor posture
• Poor lifting technique
• Lack of physical activity
• Depression
• Facet joint OA
• Spondylosis
• Disc prolapse
• Myofascial pain syndrome

Question 4

How will mechanical back pain present?

Answer 4

This will usually present with pain in the lumbosacral region, buttocks and thighs

This pain will be referred in nature and rarely below the knee

It will often be described as dull, knawing and ill-defined

This will be mechanical pain, and will therefore be worsened by activity

Patients will often have had several previous flare-ups

Question 5

What management techniques are used in mechanical back pain?

Answer 5

Advice
Analgesia
Physiotherapy

Question 6

What are some forms of advice used in mechanical back pain?

Answer 6

• Try to walk for 30 minutes per day
• Try to stay at work
• Restrict activity but don’t avoid
• Weight control

Question 7

What analgesics can be used in mechanical back pain?

Answer 7

NSAIDs - 1st line
Weak opioids - 2nd line