Week 4--notes Flashcards
(163 cards)
lifetime prevalence of back pain
70-85%
annual prevalence of back pain
15-45%
when is sciatic pain most common in the lifespan
between ages 40-45
usually from herniated disc
*herniation pain decreases with age because the disc dessicates
which gender has higher risk of back pain form herniation
men
which gender has higher overall risk of back pain from all causes
women
at what age do back pain complaints generally start to decrease
age 50
what are the types of back pain
- structural–i.e disc disease
- inflammatory–i.e ankylosing spondylitis
- infectious–i.e discitis
- neoplastic–i.e mets
- visceral–i.e aortic aneurysm
- idiopathic–i.e non specific
what patient factors can be associated with back pain
- age
- gender
- previous history of back injury
- relative strength
- smoking
- psychosocial factors–time off in past, understanding of cause, what patient expects will help
- “inheritance”
- occupational influences
what occupational influences can contribute to back pain
whole body vibration
forward bending and twisting
manual handling of materials
poor psychosocial conditions
frequent heavy lifting
what are some modifiable risk factors with regard to back pain
lack of fitness
poor health
obesity
smoking
drug dependence
what are some factors that have little to no association with back pain
height and weight
aerobic activity
absolute strength
define mechanical back pain
inflammation, irritation or injury to disc, facet joints, ligaments or muscles in the back
pain NEVER occurs below the knee
what is the most common cause of mechanical back pain
AGE related degeneration of discs, facet processes
muscle or ligament related injuries
define compressive back pain
occurs when nerve root leaving the spine is irritated or pinched
commonly due to herniated disc
what are waddells non-organic signs
- superficial tenderness
- non-anatomic tenderness
- axial loading
- simulated rotation
- distracted straight leg raise
- regional sensory changes
- regional weakness
- overreaction
* when these occur, look also for other causes of pain
describe a method of triaging low back pain
- simple back pain
- back pain with neuro involvement
- back pain with suspected serious spinal pathology (red flags)
what is simple back pain
lumbar or lumbosacral pain with no neuro involvement
“mechanical” pain, varying over time and with physical activity
patient’s general health is good
*xray/CT/MRI results are not associated with symptoms described by patient or perceived disability (many findings are common with asymptomatic patients and there is a poor association with pain)
how should you exclude serious spinal pathology in simple back pain
xray is sufficient
what is back pain with neurological involvement
patients must have one or more symptoms and signs indicating possible neuro involvement
i. e
- pain radiating below the knee which is as intense or more intense than the back pain
- pain often radiating to foot or toes
- numbness or paresthesias in the painful area
- positive for radicular irritation with straight leg raise
- motor/sensory or reflex signs supporting nerve root involvement
how should you manage back pain with neuro involvement
neuro signs and sx in the absence of red flags often resolve themselves without recourse to surgery
patients progress statistically twice as slowly as patients with simple back pain
referral for specialist consult should NOT be required until clinician has seen functional deficit persistent or deteriorating after 4 WEEKS
x ray sufficient to exclude spinal path
what are red flags for back pain (suggestive of serious spinal pathology)
- violent trauma (fall from height, auto accident)
- constant, progressive, non mechanical pain
- thoracic or abdo pain
- pain at night that is not eased by prone position
- hx or suspected cancer, HIV or other pathologies that can cause back pain
- chronic corticosteroid consumption
- unexplained fever, weight loss, chills
- significant and persistent limitation of lumbar flexion
- loss of feeling in the perineum (saddle anesthesia)
- recent onset urinary incontinence
if someone is off work 0-4 weeks, how likely are they to RTW
80-100% will RTW
if someone is off work more than 12 weeks how likely are they to RTW
less than 60%
how should you treat acute low back pain
i.e within 0-4 weeks
after 48 hours from acute injury, suggest NSAIDs
muscle relaxants
advise to remain active