Definition
- Pain, stiffness, or discomfort in the lower back area below the costal margin or lowest rib and above the gluteal creases
- Also called spinal pain or lumbago
- May be accompanied by pain radiating into one or both legs known as radicular pain, commonly due to nerve root compression
Classification
Non-specific Low Back Pain
- Low back pain without identifiable specific causes
- Makes up 90-95% of all low back pain cases
- Includes pain felt in the proximal lower extremities
Specific Spinal Pathology
- Low back pain with associated mobility deficits caused by severe or progressive neurologic disorders or comorbidities
- Includes cauda equina syndrome, tumor/cancer, infection, ankylosing spondylitis and inflammatory disorders
Low Back Pain Associated with Radiculopathy or Spinal Stenosis
- Dermatomal pain with or without neurologic deficits
- Most often caused by nerve root compression
Epidemiology
- Up to 85% of adults worldwide will experience low back pain
- Prevalence increases with age, more commonly reported in middle or older age
- Major cause of years lived with disability
Signs and Symptoms
Duration of Symptoms
Acute
- Onset of symptoms <4 weeks
Subacute
- Symptoms appeared 4-12 weeks prior to consult
Chronic
- Onset of symptoms >12 weeks before consultation
- Continuous or recurrent pain
- Pain is experienced for at least half the days in the past year in numerous episodes