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Previous Volume 344:363-370 February 1, 2001 Number 5 Next

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About two thirds of adults suffer from low back pain at some time. Low back pain is second to upper respiratory problems as a symptom-related reason for visits to a physician.^1,2 There are wide variations in care, a fact that suggests there is professional uncertainty about the optimal approach.^3,4 In addition, there is evidence of excessive imaging and surgery for low back pain in the United States,^5,6,7,8 and many experts believe the problem has been "overmedicalized."^9,10,11 In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has come to be widely used, the roles of exercise and bed rest have been clarified, and . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Causes and Epidemiologic Patterns

Diagnostic Evaluation

Medical History

Physical Examination

Imaging

Evaluation of Older Adults

Natural History

Therapy

Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Herniated Intervertebral Disks

Spinal Stenosis

Chronic Low Back Pain

Prevention

Conclusions

Source Information

From the Departments of Medicine and Health Services and the Center for Cost and Outcomes Research, University of Washington, Seattle (R.A.D.); and the Center for the Evaluative Clinical Sciences and the Department of Surgery, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, N.H. (J.N.W.).

Address reprint requests to Dr. Deyo at the Center for Cost and Outcomes Research, University of Washington, Box 358853, Seattle, WA 98195.

References

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