DQ1 Wk5 Low Back Pain
DQ1 Wk5 Low Back Pain
You are working with Dr. Lee today. She hands you a triage note
from the nurse regarding your next patient, Mr. Payne:
Forty-five-year-old white male truck driver complaining of two
weeks of sharp, stabbing back pain. The pain was better after a
couple of days but then got worse after playing softball with his
daughter. This morning his pain is so bad that he had trouble
getting out of bed.
Dr. Lee provides you some background information about low
back pain.
TEACHING POINT
Low Back Pain Prevalence, Cost, & Duration
Low back pain (LBP) is the fifth most common reason for all
doctor visits. In the U.S., lifetime prevalence of LBP is 60% to 80%.
The direct and indirect costs for treatment of LBP are estimated to
be $100 billion annually. Fortunately, most LBP resolves in two to
four weeks.
Dr. Lee continues: “There are many causes for LBP. For presenting
symptoms that have a broad differential diagnosis, I find it helpful
to think of systems of etiologies in which diseases or conditions
can be categorized.”
DQ1 Wk5 Low Back Pain

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