back pain

Red Flags in Back Pain

For Cancer

- > 50 years

- history of cancer

- smoker

- pain worse at rest

- night pain

- unexplained weight loss

- anorexia

For Infection

- prolonged use of steroids 

- immunosuppression 

- history of IV drug use

- UTI or other infection

- DM

- alcoholic

For Fracture

Definition

Lumbar spondylosis

- disc degeneration causing arthritis / lower back pain

Discogenic lower back pain

Anatomy

Annulus fibrosis

- outer aspect of disc

- type I collagen

- fibres continuous with endplate & ALL/PLL