Back pain (red flags): Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 04:59, 3 February 2021
General
Although there are many red flags of back pain on history and physical, meta-analysis has shown the following to be predictive of fracture or malignancy:
Back Pain Risk factors and probability of Fracture or Malignancy[1]
Factor | Post Test Probability (95%CI) |
Older Age (>65yo) | 9% (3-25%) |
Prolonged corticosteroid | 33% (10-67%) |
Severe trauma | 11% (8-16%) |
Presence of contusion or abrasion | 62% (49-74%) |
Multiple red flags | 90% (34-99%) |
History of malignancy | 33% (22-46%) |
Red Flag Symptoms of Low Back Pain [2]
Symptoms | Corresponding Pathology |
---|---|
Age under 18 years | Congenital abnormality |
Age over 50 years | Fracture, malignancy |
Anticoagulant use | Spinal hematoma |
Fever | Infection, malignancy |
Genitourinary issues including urinary retention/incontinence or sexual dysfunction | Cauda equina syndrome |
Immunocompromised | Fracture, infection |
IV drug use | Infection |
Recent spinal surgery or epidural injection | Infection, spinal hematoma |
Trauma | Fracture, spinal hematoma |
Red Flag Signs of Low Back Pain[3]
Signs | Corresponding Pathology |
---|---|
Reduced anal sphincter tone | Cauda equina syndrome |
Hyperreflexia | Acute cord compression |
Hyporeflexia/areflexia | Cauda equina syndrome |
Lower extremity muscle weakness | Acute cord compression or Cauda equina syndrome |
Saddle paresthesia/anesthesia | Cauda equina syndrome |
Absent or decreased bulbocavernosus reflex | Cauda equina syndrome |
History
- Pain >6wk (tumor, infection)
- Age >50 or <18 (tumor, congenital anomaly)
- History of trauma
- History of IVDU
- History of cancer
- History of sciatica
- Neurological complaints (paresthesias, anesthesia, weakness)
- Urinary retention
- Incontinence of bowel/bladder
- Night pain
- Unremitting pain, even when supine
- Fever, chills, night sweats
- Anticoagulants/coagulopathy
Physical Exam
- Fever
- Patient writhing in pain
- Anal sphincter laxity
- Perianal/perineal sensory loss (Saddle Anesthesia)
- Palpable bladder post voiding or abnormal post void residual
- Point vertebral tenderness
- Neurological deficits
- Positive straight leg raise
Specific Condition Red Flags
Cancer Related
- History of back pain
- Weight loss >10kg in 6mo
- Age >50 or <18
- No improvement despite therapy
- Pain for >4-6wks
- Night pain
- Pain worse at rest
- Vertebral tenderness
- Multiple nerve roots affected
Infection Related
- Persistent fever
- History of IVDA
- Recent infection
- Immunocompromised state
- HIV
- Systemic corticosteroids
- Transplant
- DM
Cauda Equina
- Incontinence or retention
- Saddle anesthesia
- Decreased anal sphincter tone
- Bilateral lower extremity weakness or numbness
- Neurologic deficit
Herniated Disc
- Muscle Weakness
- Radiation of pain
- Footdrop
Vertebral Fracture
- Prolonged use of corticosteroids
- History of osteoporosis
- Age>70
- Mild trauma in age >50yr
- Significant trauma in any age
- Bony tenderness
AAA/Aortic dissection
- Risk factors for PVD
- Pulsating mass
- Pain at rest or at night
- Age >60yrs
See Also
References
- ↑ Downie A, et al. Red flags to screen for malignancy and fracture in patients with low back pain: systematic review. BMJ. 2013; 347:f7095. [1]
- ↑ Depalma. Red flags of low back pain. JAAPA. 2020;33(8):8. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000684112.91641.4c
- ↑ Depalma. Red flags of low back pain. JAAPA. 2020;33(8):8. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000684112.91641.4c