back pain 12 2020 note

Approach to back pain

  1. Is it really back pain
  2. How worried spinal urgency/emergency
  3. How progressive is back pain

Red Flags

  • fever
  • incontinence
  • night sx
  • weakness, loss of sensation
  • saddles anesthesia

Yellow Flags

Physical Exam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1gX9hORtLY

Extend leg out when helping patient up on to chair

Crossed SLR has LR 3.4

SLR more for L5 S1

Imaging

  • avoid imaging in first 6 weeks
  • avoid in nonspecific sx

  • American college of radiology

Treatment