36 Questions
What is the usual symptom associated with lumbar strain?
Immediate pain in the lower lumbar area
What is the role of the normal lumbar disk?
Shock absorption and flexibility
What is the term used to describe a circumferential spreading out of the disk without any tear or deformity of the disk annulus?
Bulging
What refers to changes with greater potential to cause difficulty in disk herniation?
Extruding
What is the symptomatic hallmark of nerve root irritation?
Sharp or burning sensation radiating down the leg
What triggers the recurring attacks of localized back pain in degenerative lumbar disk disease?
Pain receptors in the longitudinal ligaments
Where do more than 95% of disk protrusions and extrusions occur?
L4 to L5 or L5 to S1
What may develop with lumbar disk extrusion?
Sciatic scoliosis
What is the clinical course for most patients with degenerative lumbar disk disease?
Significant improvement or resolution by 6 weeks
What are the symptoms of radicular pain?
Sharp or burning sensation, paresthesias, numbness, and weakness
What may worsen radicular pain?
Cough and Valsalva maneuver
What is the term used for the pain in the distribution of the sciatic nerve?
Sciatica
What is the second most frequent complaint in primary care practice?
Back pain
What is often responsible for recurring mild discomfort of the low back and episodes of severe back pain with sciatica?
Degenerative disk disease
What may result from problems originating outside of the spinal axis?
Back pain
What may tear, usually at the iliac crest or lower lumbar/upper sacral region, causing local swelling and marked tenderness at the site of injury?
Musculoligamentous Strain
What is the symptomatic hallmark of nerve root irritation?
Sciatica
What must be kept in mind due to the prevalence of back pain and the disability it causes?
Serious underlying problems
What is the role of the primary physician in managing back pain?
Assessment and conservative management
What may many patients seek from their primary care physician even after consulting specialists?
Review of options and recommendations
What causes local swelling and marked tenderness at the site of injury in musculoligamentous strain?
Bleeding and spasm
What is the usual presentation of a patient with musculoligamentous strain?
After a specific episode of bending, twisting, or lifting
What is often responsible for episodes of severe back pain with sciatica?
Disk herniation
What is the prevalence of back pain and the disability it causes require the primary physician to be skilled in?
Assessment and conservative management
What is the second most frequent complaint in primary care practice?
Back pain
Which condition is often responsible for recurring mild discomfort of the low back and episodes of severe back pain with sciatica?
Degenerative disk disease
What may result from problems originating outside of the spinal axis?
Back pain
What causes local swelling and marked tenderness at the site of injury?
Musculoligamentous strain
Which condition may cause episodes of severe back pain with sciatica?
Degenerative disk disease
What is often responsible for recurring mild discomfort of the low back?
Degenerative disk disease
What causes bleeding and spasm leading to local swelling and tenderness?
Musculoligamentous strain
What must be kept in mind due to the prevalence of back pain and the disability it causes?
Serious underlying problems
What is the leading cause of disability?
Back pain
What is often the cause of most back pain?
Musculoligamentous strain
What is responsible for recurring mild discomfort of the low back?
Degenerative disk disease
What is often sought in addition to conservative management for back pain?
Complementary therapies
Test your knowledge of the approach to evaluating and managing patients with back pain. This quiz covers common causes of back pain, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options.
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