Acute and chronic low back pain

Nathan Patrick, Eric Emanski, Mark A. Knaub

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

146 Scopus citations

Abstract

Low back pain is an extremely common presenting complaint that occurs in upward of 80% of persons. Treatment of an acute episode of back pain includes relative rest, activity modification, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, and physical therapy. Patient education is also imperative, as these patients are at risk for further future episodes of back pain. Chronic back pain (>6months' duration) develops in a small percentage of patients. Clinicians' ability to diagnose the exact pathologic source of these symptoms is severely limited, making a cure unlikely. Treatment of these patients should be supportive, the goal being to improve pain and function.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)777-789
Number of pages13
JournalMedical Clinics of North America
Volume98
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2014

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

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