The role of trauma in low back pain: a review

Trauma plays an important role in the production of low back pain. This review emphasizes how the forces to which the spine is subjected are modified by many factors. Attention is directed to the role of mechanical stress in the etiology of spondylolisthesis, subtle spinal fractures, as well as the relevance of stress to the degenerative process. It is suggested that trauma plays a very major role in low back pain but, at present, the problems in diagnostic technology create difficulty in establishing the precise degree of that role. The drawbacks of over-reliance on plane radiography are emphasized. It is suggested that improved diagnostic techniques may result in more accurate treatment and perhaps less disability resultant from the ubiquitous problem of low back pain.