Assessment of back pain differential diagnosis of symptoms bmj. Diagnosis and treatment of acute low back pain american family physician metrics details. Differential diagnosis endometriosis can be challenging to diagnose based on clinical presentation alone this disease has a wide range of symptoms and significant symptom overlap with other gynecologic and nongynecologic conditions 1. Always be familiar with the childs medical history focused history of musculoskeletal pain timing of pain. Osteoporotic vertebral fracture should always be considered within the differential diagnosis of any nonspecific back pain. The purpose of this report is to describe the role of differential diagnosis of hip from back pathology in a patient post lumbar laminectomy and fusion. Rarely, back pain is a harbinger of serious medical illness. Jan 16, 2019 lower back pain is one of the most prevalent sports maladies, affecting athletes in nearly every sport. The purpose of this poster is to present a case involving a very common diagnosis, low back and flank pain, in an adult with developmental disability whose communication skills. Feb 15, 2012 most persons will experience acute low back pain during their lifetime. Differential diagnosis and treatment of visceral pain in the. According to jarvik and deyo,23 in approximately 7% to 8% of patients with lbp, the cause is due to nonmechanical spinal conditions or visceral disease. Differential diagnosis of spondylolysis in a patient with chronic low back pain jill theinnissenbaum, mpt, scs, atc1 william g.
Dont assume it has to be a tooth just because it usually is. Table 1 presents the differential diagnosis of acute low back pain. The discussion in this article is extensive but not all. For many individuals, episodes of back pain are selflimited. Low back pain caused by fragility fractures in osteoporosis patients has been found to have the most significant impact on mortality among the various kinds of frac.
Visceral pain responses are provoked by ischemia, inflammation, and distention. Here we discuss about radicular pain, facet joint pain, sacroiliac pain, pain related to lumbar stenosis, discogenic pain. The first episode usually occurs between 20 and 40 years of age. Pain of this type is perceived differently from patient to patient and is associated with variable symptoms and signs. Lbp is thought to be a chronic issue in approximately 10% of the u. Acute back pain has wide differential diagnoses, ranging from benign, selflimiting conditions to lifethreatening conditions. Assessment of back pain differential diagnosis of symptoms. Back pain is a common presentation to the emergency department.
Patients who continue to have back pain beyond the acute period four weeks have subacute back pain lasting between 4 and 12 weeks and may go on to develop chronic back pain persists for. The current differential diagnostic methods generally do not enable a clear diagnosis to be made when low back pain is of muscular origin. It is associated with disability, health care expenses, and a loss of wages and productivity. Back pain is the primary cause of disability in people back pain lbp is second only to upper respiratory problems for physician visits each year, with a lifetime prevalence of 70% to 85%. Many authors suggest defining chronic pain as pain that lasts beyond the expected period of healing, avoiding this close time criterion. But not always if your diagnosis just isnt falling into any of our usual dental bins, back up and think about the rest of the body. Pdf on feb 21, 2015, nihal ozaras and others published differential diagnosis in upper back pain find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. Walker has an extensive family history of gallstones involving his siblings and his mother.
Low back pain academy of orthopaedic physical therapy. Figure 71 reorganizes the differential diagnosis using pivotalpoints and outlines the diagnostic approach to low back pain. Pain, stiffness, andor soreness of the lumbosacral region are the symptoms. Diagnosing the cause of a back injury is quite difficult and challenging because multiple structures in the lower back region can cause pain. Approach to back pain department of family medicine 3 differential diagnosis of back pain mechanical lower back pain the most common cause of back pain. Evaluation of neck pain differential diagnosis of symptoms. True visceral pain is a physiologically and clinically separate entity from somatic pain. Evaluation of back pain differential diagnosis of symptoms bmj. Diagnosis is made by eliminating specific lower back pain causes of neurologic compromise, neoplasia, inflammatory arthritis, fracture, or referred pain from other locations or organ systems. Be sure to keep in mind the red flags for back pain. You know your back hurts, but you may not know why, or what to do about it.
Although its not lifethreatening it can cause serious problems. In every patient with back pain, it is essential to systematically ask about and look for the clinical clues and pivotal points associated with serious causes of back pain. This may indicate the mechanical problem of the neck. The diagnostic approach to neck pain has not been as well studied as back pain, but a similar approach is recommended. If your neck pain is older than 1 week you should immediately go to your physician. Lower extremity pain clinical guidelines for workup. When caring for a patient and developing a back pain differential diagnosis, remember to consider age, the history, physical exam findings, laboratory results, and imaging if needed. A definitive diagnosis in chiropractic clinical practice is frequently elusive, yet decisions around management are still necessary. Apr 01, 2016 the current differential diagnostic methods generally do not enable a clear diagnosis to be made when low back pain is of muscular origin. Nov, 2014 the issue of low back pain lbp is as common as it is perplexing. An accurate diagnosis is essential for both acute and chronic low back pain conditions. Diagnosis and treatment of acute low back pain aafp. Cauda equina symptoms n back pain with nerve root distribution of pain one or more nerve roots involved n sciatica n saddle parathaesia and or anesthesia around the anus, perineum or genitals n faecal incontinence n bladder dysfunction e. The most important diseases that cause bone pain are listed in table 11.
Some occupations, such as heavy lifters, miners and truck drivers, have an increased prevalence of back pain due to repetitive mechanical strain to the back. The patient states that she has had progressively worsening lower abdominal pain for the past three weeks. In every patient with back pain, it is essential to systematically ask about and look for the clinical clues and pivotal points associated with serious causes of back pain table 71. Differential diagnosis of a patient referred to physical. Chronic pain, differential diagnosis, low back pain, neurostimulation. The recommendation on application of heat for shortterm relief of acute low back pain is based on expert opinion in several us clinical practice guidelines such as diagnosis and treatment of low back pain. Visceral pain is poorly defined and diffuse and commonly described as deep, gnawing, twisting, aching, colicky, or dull 1. The patient was a 56yearold female seen in physical therapy two months postoperatively. Approximately two thirds of adults are affected by mechanical low back pain at some point in their lives, making it the second most common complaint in ambulatory medic. Find out how doctors diagnose back problems and what tests may be involved. Differential diagnosis of low back pain sciencedirect. Oct 10, 2011 onset of ripping or tearing back pain, saddle anesthesia, represents an acutely herniated disc, needs an emergent mri for diagnosis, managed emergently in the or epidural abscess iv drug user with fever and back pain, also in diabetics or patients with recent epidural injections, needs an emergent mri for diagnosis. Jan 14, 2016 cardinal presentations this post is part of a series called cardinal presentations, based on rosens emergency medicine 8th edition. Diagnosis and treatment of acute low back pain american.
Many authors suggest defining chronic pain as pain that lasts beyond the expected period of healing, avoiding. Low back pain is the commonest cause for years lived with disability. Low back pain has a lifetime prevalence of approximately 80%. Mechanical lbp refers to pain that is diffusely related to soft tissues. Pdf differential diagnosis in upper back pain researchgate. Low back pain is the leading cause of long term disability worldwide. She describes the pain as constant, cramping, currently 810 in severity with radiation to the right flank. A thorough examination led to a differential diagnosis of intraarticular. The etiology of low back pain may be difficult to determine at times because of the number of diverse anatomic structures located in or near the low back region. Despite the availability of modern diagnostic tools, the cause of the pain generator is often unidentifiable.
Differential diagnosis of chronic low back pain university of. Acute low back pain can be defined as six to 12 weeks. Adult with low back pain or back related leg symptoms for differential diagnosis using pivotal points and outlines the diagnostic approach to low back pain. The differential diagnosis of low back pain wiley online library. Musculoskeletal lower back pain symptoms, diagnosis and.
Liddle, md assistant professor of orthopedics assistant professor of internal medicine vanderbilt university medical center nashville, tn. One study of consecutive general pediatric clinic visits in patients 315 years, found 4 patients presenting with back pain 0. These structures may be causing direct or referred pain patterns. For many, acute low back pain is the first reason to seek. Differential diagnosis and management for the chiropractor pdf.
Classification, diagnosis, and treatment of low back pain. Differential diagnosis of low back pain mechanical low back pain or leg pain 97% lumbar strain 70% degenerative process of discs. Pdf differential diagnosis of low back pain researchgate. You must check the presence of tendon on neck and motion of neck that aggravates or relieve the pain. Differential diagnosis of low back pain article pdf available in seminars in pain medicine 23. The list of differential diagnoses for lower extremity pain is extensive and broad. It is the fifth most common reason for all physician visits in the us. Chronic lbp clbp is a chronic pain syndrome in the lower back region, lasting for at least 12 weeks 2. Pdf on feb 21, 2015, nihal ozaras and others published differential diagnosis in upper back pain find, read and cite all the research you need on. Back pain is the most common cause of shortterm disability in adults younger than 45 years and the. Suspicion of such back pain causes would warrant the physical therapist referring the patient to a physician. Lower back pain is now a days common in males, especially in 50 or more than 50 years old males. Terminology used in spine disc pathology and back pain differential diagnosis of low back pain risk factors for osteoporosis solitary nerve root lesions of the lumbosacral spine neurogenic vs vascular claudication manifestations of oa nonorganic low back pain signs waddell acp best practice advice lower back pain cancer tests for back pain. Differential diagnosis of back pain free download as powerpoint presentation.
Walker because of the abdominal pain he has described, along with the rebound tenderness and guarding found on physical examination. Some estimates show that 8 out of 10 americans will experience back problems at some point during their lifetime. A 26yearold male sought physical therapy services via direct access secondary to a flareup of a chronic low back pain condition. Feverweaknesssyncopealtered mental statusseizuredizziness and vertigoheadachesore throatdyspneachest painabdominal painnausea and vomitinggastrointestinal bleedingacute pelvic painback pain causes of back pain key historical findings onset acute onset. Jan 24, 2017 mechanical low back pain is one of the most common patient complaints expressed to emergency physicians in the united states accounting for more than 6 million cases annually. The importance of reaching the correct diagnosis is selfevident, as some of the causes are invariably fatal while others can be treated easily. It is important to detect neck pain caused by significant causes e.
Nov 01, 2010 back pain is less common in younger children and then increases over time. Differential diagnosis of spondylolysis in a patient with. Low back pain, without symp toms or signs of serious. The head and neck region is packed with complex anatomy, its. Low back pain lbp is the most common musculoskeletal condition affecting the adult population, with a prevalence of up to 84% 1. Acute back pain clinical features and differential diagnosis. Oct 11, 2016 low back pain lbp is the most common musculoskeletal condition affecting the adult population, with a prevalence of up to 84% 1. A thorough history and physical exam will aid the provider in identifying the correct diagnoses.