Such cases account for only a small proportion of people presenting with new back problems. A survey of GPs found that about one-quarter of patients with lower back pain were sent off for imaging, yet these sorts of tests are costly and rarely useful for diagnosing the source of back pain or suggesting the best treatment.Įxpert guidelines advise caution in ordering tests for presenting back problems, unless there's some indication or 'red flag' suggesting something more serious – major trauma, unexplained weight loss, unexplained fever, history of malignancy, inflammatory conditions or neurological issues, for example. The issue of medical imaging – X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerised tomography (CT) scans – for back pain is controversial. Hospital treatment includes patient education and support for management of the condition, rehabilitation for lost or reduced functions and pain management. If necessary they can refer you to other health services (such as specialists, allied health professionals, diagnostic testing and hospitals).Īround 100,000 patients end up in the hospital system with back problems, with lower back pain the single largest issue accounting for 33% of cases. Your first port of call should be your GP, who can assess the condition, prescribe or advise on medicine, and provide patient education. Acute lower back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks, while pain that lasts for more than three months is considered chronic. However, up to 30% of people suffer ongoing symptoms or repeat episodes of pain. Lower back pain usually clears up within six weeks, whether treated or not. There are myriad causes of back pain, from injury, postural issues and diseases such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, to lifestyle factors such as physical fitness, smoking, being overweight and occupation. Rarer forms of back problems are bone disorders, tumours and infections. Sciatica is another type of lower back pain, caused by irritation or pressure on a spinal nerve, with pain being felt along the course of the nerve, perhaps as far as the legs and feet. Most lower back pain is nonspecific lower back pain – so called because it's not clear what's actually causing the pain.
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