Question

A 49-year-old office worker presents with chronic low back pain without leg pain or neurological deficit. There are no red-flag features such as weight loss, fever or history of cancer. What is the most appropriate initial management?

Accepted Answer

Provide advice to stay active, offer simple analgesia and consider group exercise or physiotherapy

Answer

Arrange urgent MRI of the lumbar spine

Answer

Advise remaining in bed until the pain settles

Answer

Refer urgently to spinal surgery

Answer

Start long-term strong opioids

Practice question

A 49-year-old office worker presents with chronic low back pain without leg pain or neurological deficit. There are no red-flag features such as weight loss, fever or history of cancer. What is the most appropriate initial management?