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Volume 3, Number 1

JCCC 2013 Issue 1

Table of Contents

Low Back Pain: It's Time for a Different Approach

Low Back Pain: It's Time for a Different Approach

About the Authors

Related Terms: Arthritis, Back Health, Musculoskeletal Disease, Osteoporosis, Pain, low back pain, medicalization, natural history, psychosocial issues, routine back care

Making Sense of Low Back Pain

Making Sense of Low Back Pain

Teaser: 

Hamilton Hall, MD, FRCSC,1 Julia Alleyne, BHSc(PT), MD, CCFP, Dip. Sport Med MScCH,2 Yoga Raja Rampersaud, MD, FRCSC,3

1Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto; Medical Director, Canadian Back Institute; Executive Director, Canadian Spine Society, Toronto, ON.
2Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Director, Sport CARE, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON.
3Associate Professor Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Divisions of Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery, University Health Network Medical Director, Back and Neck Specialty Program, Altum Health, Immediate Past President Canadian Spine Society, Toronto, ON.

CLINICAL TOOLS

Abstract: In 1987, the Quebec Taskforce noted, "Distinct patterns of reliable clinical findings are the only logical basis for back pain categorization and subsequent treatment." Identifying these patterns begins with the patient's history: "Where is your pain the worst?" "Is your pain constant or intermittent?" "Has there been any change in your bowel or bladder function?" This questioning establishes the mechanical nature of the pain, and a physical examination verifies or refutes the pattern established in the history. The examination involves two essential tests to detect upper motor and low sacral root involvement. A failure of the results to fit into one of four syndromes—two back dominant and two leg dominant—suggests a non-mechanical or more complex problem.
Key Words:patterns of back pain, pain location, pain characteristics, history, physical examination.

HealthPlexus is offering an eCME in support of the Back Pain Management Resource

eCME: The Latest in Back Pain Management

This CME activity offers interactive Videos, Animations, Pre- and Post-test Quizzes and you will be able to download a Certificate of Participation upon completion.

Proceed to the CME
90% of Low Back Pain is not related to serious pathology and does not require surgical intervention.
Mechanical Low Back Pain can be categorized to patterns that are identified in history and confirmed in the physical examination.
Findings on radiological imaging including x-ray, CT scan and MRI have not been found to correlate to pain-generating pathology, can increase patient anxiety and detract from successful recovery.
A concise history starts with two questions: "Where is your pain the worst?" and "Is your pain constant or intermittent?"
The goal of physical examination is to verify or refute the diagnostic assumptions made on the basis of the history.
Managing low back pain is not a one-time event. Low back pain is a chronic condition that demands ongoing care and follow-up.
To have access to full article that these tools were developed for, please subscribe. The cost to subscribe is $80 USD per year and you will gain full access to all the premium content on www.healthplexus.net, an educational portal, that hosts 1000s of clinical reviews, case studies, educational visual aids and more as well as within the mobile app.
Related Terms: Arthritis, Back Health, Musculoskeletal Disease, Osteoporosis, Pain, history, physical examination, pain characteristics, patterns of back pain, pain location

Managing Back Dominant Pain

Managing Back Dominant Pain

Teaser: 

Hamilton Hall, MD, FRCSC,1 Julia Alleyne, BHSc(PT), MD, CCFP, Dip. Sport Med MScCH,2 Yoga Raja Rampersaud, MD, FRCSC,3

1Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto; Medical Director, Canadian Back Institute; Executive Director, Canadian Spine Society, Toronto, ON.
2Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Director, Sport CARE, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON.
3Associate Professor Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Divisions of Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery, University Health Network Medical Director, Back and Neck Specialty Program, Altum Health, Immediate Past President Canadian Spine Society, Toronto, ON.

CLINICAL TOOLS

Abstract: Back dominant pain is either intensified by flexion or is not aggravated by bending forward. The most common pattern, probably discogenic, subdivides into two groups: one with pain on flexion but relief on extension, the other with pain in both directions. The second pattern has symptoms with extension only. Treatment begins with education about the true benign nature of the problem. Mechanical pain responds to posture adjustment and pattern-specific movement. Medication has a secondary role. Imaging is not required for the responding patient. The inability to detect a pattern or a lack of anticipated response combined with non-mechanical findings indicates the need for appropriate referral.
Key Words:back dominant pain, education, medication, imaging, specialist referral.

HealthPlexus is offering an eCME in support of the Back Pain Management Resource

eCME: The Latest in Back Pain Management

This CME activity offers interactive Videos, Animations, Pre- and Post-test Quizzes and you will be able to download a Certificate of Participation upon completion.

Proceed to the CME
Back Dominant pain can be divided into two presentations: pain that is predominantly reproduced with flexion or pain that is reduced or unaffected by flexion.
The recognition of mechanical low back pain is based on a precise history, a validating physical examination and a positive treatment result.
Referred pain to the leg may occur with back dominant pain but, unlike radicular pain, the neurological examination will be normal.
Facilitating the patient to engage in activity that does not aggravate pain is the key to pain management and recovery.
The goal is control, not cure. Anything that relieves the pain and helps to restore mobility is valuable.
Medication has a limited and secondary role. There is no place for the routine use of narcotics or psychotropic drugs.
To have access to full article that these tools were developed for, please subscribe. The cost to subscribe is $80 USD per year and you will gain full access to all the premium content on www.healthplexus.net, an educational portal, that hosts 1000s of clinical reviews, case studies, educational visual aids and more as well as within the mobile app.
Related Terms: Arthritis, Back Health, Musculoskeletal Disease, Osteoporosis, Pain, education, imaging, medications, back dominant pain, specialist referral

Managing Leg Dominant Pain

Managing Leg Dominant Pain

Teaser: 

Yoga Raja Rampersaud, MD, FRCSC,1 Julia Alleyne, BHSc(PT), MD, CCFP, Dip. Sport Med MScCH,2 Hamilton Hall, MD, FRCSC,3

1Associate Professor Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Divisions of Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery, University Health Network Medical Director, Back and Neck Specialty Program, Altum Health, Immediate Past President Canadian Spine Society, Toronto, ON.
2Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Director, Sport CARE, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON.
3Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto; Medical Director, Canadian Back Institute; Executive Director, Canadian Spine Society, Toronto, ON.

CLINICAL TOOLS

Abstract: Leg dominant pain suggests direct nerve root involvement: radicular, not referred symptoms. Constant pain associated with positive neurological findings usually results from an acute disc herniation. Symptoms are the result of mechanical compression but principally reflect an inflammatory response, properly designated sciatica. Intermittent leg dominant pain triggered by activity in extension and relieved by rest in flexion probably represents neurogenic claudication: nerve root ischemia secondary to spinal stenosis. Except for acute cauda equina syndrome, acute sciatica is initially managed with scheduled rest, adequate medication, and time. Non-responsive cases may require surgery. Surgery also shows superior outcomes for disabling neurogenic claudication.
Key Words:leg dominant pain, sciatica, neurogenic claudication, cauda equina syndrome, surgery.

HealthPlexus is offering an eCME in support of the Back Pain Management Resource

eCME: The Latest in Back Pain Management

This CME activity offers interactive Videos, Animations, Pre- and Post-test Quizzes and you will be able to download a Certificate of Participation upon completion.

Proceed to the CME
True spine-generated, leg dominant pain is consistently reproduced by particular spinal movements or positions.
No imaging investigation is required for a patient presenting an unequivocal clinical picture and exhibiting steady predictable improvement.
Of the four back pain syndromes, only neurogenic claudication is consistently best treated by surgery.
In contrast to the back dominant cases, in sciatica there is a definite role for short-acting narcotics or psychotropic drugs for uncontrolled pain.
Criteria for Surgical Referral
Emergency Referral The symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome are: - Urinary retention followed by insensible urinary overflow. - Unrecognized fecal incontinence. - Loss or decrease in saddle/perineal sensation. Acute Cauda Equina Syndrome is a surgical emergency.
Consider Elective Referral Failure to respond to a trial of conservative care: - Unbearable constant leg dominant pain. - Worsening nerve irritation tests (SLR or femoral nerve stretch). - Expanding motor, sensory or reflex deficits. - Recurrent disabling sciatica. - Disabling neurogenic claudication.
To have access to full article that these tools were developed for, please subscribe. The cost to subscribe is $80 USD per year and you will gain full access to all the premium content on www.healthplexus.net, an educational portal, that hosts 1000s of clinical reviews, case studies, educational visual aids and more as well as within the mobile app.
Related Terms: Arthritis, Back Health, Musculoskeletal Disease, Osteoporosis, Pain, neurogenic claudication, surgery, leg dominant pain, sciatica, cauda equina syndrome

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Quick Facts

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Quick Facts

Teaser: 

Abstract
From time-to-time we select a topic and present the information and facts in an exciting and visually informative format. Today our choice of condition to present as an infographic is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, an important topic for which we are also developing a CME program that is scheduled for release later this year.
Keywords:  lumbar spinal stenosis, low back pain.

Related Terms: Neurology-Movement Disorders