primary care management of lower back pain

Question 1

what investigations should be done if there is sciatica >4 weeks?

Answer 1

MRI of lumbar spine

Question 2

what investigations should be done if there is spinal claudication?

Answer 2

MRI of lumbar spine

Question 3

what investigations should be done if there is back pain with red flags?

Answer 3

• lumbar spine Xray with secondary referral

- MRI

Question 4

what investigations should be done if there is known trauma and back pain?

Answer 4

lumbar spine Xray with secondary referral

Question 5

what investigations should be done if there is lower back pain with known osteoperosis?

Answer 5

lumbar spine Xray with secondary referral

Question 6

what are some red flags for lower back pain?

Answer 6

-MSK conditions in family history
-weight loss
-fever
>55 or <20
-pain at night
-previous carcinoma (breast, prostate, lung, renal, thyroid)
-systemically unwell
-neurological problems
-structural deformity of spine

Question 7

how much of back pain is mechanical/ non specific?

Answer 7

> 90%