EBMcalc Medical Calculator

Low Back Pain Evaluation TreeCalc

The EBMcalc module Low Back Pain Evaluation TreeCalc is available in EBMcalc Complete Edition.

This Decision TreeCalc evaluates the following decision points:

Symptoms of low back pain
Evaluate case complexity
Evaluate case urgency
Evaluate case severity
Try conservative therapy for 6 weeks
Try conservative therapy for 6 weeks unless neuro problems worsen
Treat symptoms

Decision Tree end points include:

Routine clinical follow-up
Check ESR and if >20 or more than 2 risk factors of serious condition check X-Ray and then possible MRI
Check CT or MRI
Check CT or MRI urgently and consider disc surgery
Check MRI, CT or neuro-electro tests and consider laminectomy

References

Jarvik JG, Deyo RA. Diagnostic evaluation of low back pain with emphasis on imaging. Ann Intern Med. 2002; 137: 586-97. PubMed ID: 12353946

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