A 38-year-old man presents with low back pain for 4 weeks after lifting a heavy box. The pain is mechanical in nature, with no neurological deficit an...

Question

A 38-year-old man presents with low back pain for 4 weeks after lifting a heavy box. The pain is mechanical in nature, with no neurological deficit and no systemic symptoms. Which of the following features, if present, would be a red flag requiring urgent imaging or referral?

Accepted Answer

Progressive motor weakness and saddle anaesthesia

Answer

Pain relieved by rest

Answer

Midline lumbar tenderness after exertion

Answer

Pain worse with bending and lifting

Answer

Morning stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes

au-racgp MCQ (SBA): Low back pain red flags

A 38-year-old man presents with low back pain for 4 weeks after lifting a heavy box. The pain is mechanical in nature, with no neurological deficit and no systemic symptoms. Which of the following features, if present, would be a red flag requiring urgent imaging or referral?