Clinical Pattern Recognition- Low back pain

From anatomy to discovering the patient!

Low back pain
  • 1-year incidence of a first-ever episode of low back pain to range between 6.3% and 15.3%, while estimates of the 1-year incidence of any episode of low back pain range between 1.5% and 36%.

  • Low back pain is the leading cause of activity, limitation and work absence throughout much of the world and is associated with an enormous economic burden.

  • Individuals who have experienced activity-limiting low back pain often experience reoccurring episodes with estimates ranging between 24% and 33%.

See more prevalence information in the Clinical Pattern Recognition: Orthopaedics app here

Meet the 6 common low back pain patients from the Clinical Practice Guidelines!


Clinical Pattern Recognition

Click on the pain pattern to learn about the patients and develop your clinical patterns!

1.     Lumbar degenerative joint disease/facet syndrome- Low back pain and mobility deficits (1 min video)

2. Sciatica/disc herniation- Low back pain and radiating pain (1 min video)

3. Lumbar strain/instabilities- Low back pain and movement coordination impairments (1 min video)

4. Sacroiliac joint sprain- Pelvic girdle mobility deficits(1 min video)

5. Spinal stenosis- Low back pain with radiating pain (1 min video)

6. Psychologic overlay Depression/Anxiety/Fear leading to Chronic pain or central sensitization- Low back pain with cognitive and associative tendencies leading to Generalized pain