Description
Low back pain (LBP) is a significant public health problem that frequently restricts patient activity and boosts health care costs. LBP is also a vexing clinical problem. Although it is usually associated with specific work and social factors, in most cases the precise cause of pain cannot be determined. As a result, approaches to diagnosis and treatment are often ill-defined and inconsistent. A clear strategy for diagnosis of commonly seen LBP problems can lead to more effective initial treatment and referrals. This strategy places LBP problems in 1 of 4 general diagnostic categories: disk herniations, spinal canal stenosis, diskogenic LBP, or severe nonmechanical LBP Specific initial treatment and referral recommendations are made for each category.