Evaluation of back pain

Last reviewed: 4 Sep 2023
Last updated: 05 Jan 2022

Summary

Differentials

Common

  • Lumbar muscular strain/sprain
  • Herniated nucleus pulposus
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Compression fracture
  • Degenerative disk disease or facet arthropathy
  • Sacroiliitis
Full details

Uncommon

  • Cauda equina syndrome
  • Spinal cord compression
  • Spondylolysis and/or spondylolisthesis
  • Vertebral discitis/osteomyelitis
  • Malignancy
  • Inflammatory spondyloarthropathy
  • Connective tissue disease
  • Scoliosis
  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm
  • Pancreatitis
  • Pyelonephritis
  • Renal colic
  • Peptic ulcer disease
  • Spinal epidural abscess
  • Herpes zoster infection
Full details

Contributors

Authors

Daniel K. Park, MD
Daniel K. Park

Associate Professor

Department of Orthopedic Surgery

William Beaumont Hospital

Royal Oak

MI

Disclosures

DKP is a paid consultant for Stryker, and Arthrex, Solco Spine, Aegis Spine; and has received royalties from HD LifeSciences.

Kern Singh, MD
Kern Singh

Professor

Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Rush University Medical Center

Chicago

IL

Disclosures

KS has received royalties from Zimmer, Stryker, Pioneer, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Thieme, Jaypee Publishing, and Slack Publishing. He holds stock in Avaz Surgical, LLC, and Vital 5, has consulted for Depuy, Zimmer, and Stryker, and is on the board of directors for CSRS, ISASS, AAOS, SRS, Vertebral Column - ISASS. KS has received a CSRS resident grant.

Acknowledgements

Dr Daniel K. Park and Dr Kern Singh would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Howard S. An, a previous contributor to this topic. HSA declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Eric L. Matteson, MD

Professor of Medicine

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine

Division of Rheumatology

Rochester

MN

Disclosures

ELM declares that he has no competing interests.

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer