Lower back pain

Symptoms and signs

See further medical attention immediately if there is any of the following warning signs.

Serious cause of lower back pain

Cancer Warning sign

- Previous history of cancer - Unexplained weight loss

Pott’s disease (tuberculosis of spine) - Low grade fever - Chronic cough with bloody sputum - Night sweat

Cauda equina syndrome (compression of the nerve in spinal cord) - Urinary and faecal incontinence - Weakness in muscle and or sensory abnormalities - Loss of sensation in the inner thigh buttocks

Compressed nerve - Muscle weakness / wasting - Numbness of limbs

Fracture

Infection - Severe trauma: fall from height - Corticosteroid use - Osteoporosis (women in menopause) - Pain in spine relieved by lying down

- Severe pain after surgery in nearby site - Fever - Urinary tract infection - Immunosuppression - Intravenous drug user - Previous cancer

As a first aider

Do’s

Paracetamol and NSAIDs may be beneficial. Use cautiously as instructed by the doctor.

There is a common misconception that lower back pain requires bed rest. However, if the pain is not due to trauma, active lifestyle is actually what the patient needs. Yoga, stretching and core strength building exercises may also be useful.

Don’ts