Red flags of Lower back pain

Question 1

Red flags:? (5)

Answer 1

age <20 yrs or >50 yrs
hx of previous malignancy 
night pain
hx of trauma
systemically unwell e.g. weight loss, fever

Question 2

Causes of sinister back pain?

Answer 2

Leaking aortic aneurysm – pulsatile mass, peritonism, radial-femoral delay, shock
Cauda equine syndrome – lower limb weakness, altered perianal sensation, sphincter disturbance
Malignancy – weight loss, high lesion (absent knee jerks and weak thighs)
Infection – discitis, epidural abscess
Osteoporotic crush fracture