Question

A 44-year-old warehouse operative presents with low back pain for 3 weeks after lifting boxes. The pain is mechanical and improves with rest. There is no weight loss, fever, trauma, bowel or bladder disturbance, or neurological deficit. What is the most appropriate management?

Accepted Answer

Advise staying active, simple analgesia and no immediate imaging

Answer

Arrange urgent MRI spine

Answer

Recommend bed rest for 2 weeks and strong opioids

Answer

Refer urgently on a suspected cancer pathway

Answer

Arrange spinal X-ray to exclude disc prolapse

Practice question

A 44-year-old warehouse operative presents with low back pain for 3 weeks after lifting boxes. The pain is mechanical and improves with rest. There is no weight loss, fever, trauma, bowel or bladder disturbance, or neurological deficit. What is the most appropriate management?