Back Pain Red Flags
Back Pain Presentation
John replies with these answers:
- Pain is in lower back
- It came on approximately a week ago after lifting a heavy box in work
- Pain is dull and does not radiate
- Regular ibuprofen helps a bit
- Rates the pain an 7/10 and was at it's worst the day after lifting the box
Cauda equina red flags
- Bilateral sciatica
- Bilateral motor weakness of legs
- Difficulty initiating micturition
- Faecal incontinence
- Saddle anesthesia
- Decreased anal tone
- Erectile dysfunction
Other red flags
- Night pain
- Stiffness in morning
- Major trauma
- Gradual onset
- Weight loss
- Fever
- History of cancer
