Evaluating low back pain in adolescents
Sarah J Garvick1, Candice Creecy, Megan Miller
1Sarah J. Garvick is associate program director of the PA program at the Boone, N.C., campus of Wake Forest School of Medicine. Candice Creecy, Megan Miller, Lorae Schafer, Alex Spooner, and Ann Wallace Tazewell were students in the PA program at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C., when this article was written. Tanya Gregory is an assistant professor and director of student services in the PA program at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Abstract:
Low back pain in adolescents is a common complaint in primary care. With an average prevalence rate of 40%, adolescent low back pain correlates with greater healthcare use, higher incidences of adult back pain, and negative effects on overall well-being. A thorough history and physical examination can increase early detection and accurate diagnosis while ensuring the judicious use of diagnostic modalities. Although underlying serious pathology is rare in adolescents with low back pain, clinicians should recognize specific signs and symptoms that necessitate urgent evaluation and intervention. This article emphasizes the value of using a thorough history and physical examination to guide the initial diagnostic workup and to enhance the early detection and accurate diagnosis of adolescents who present with low back pain.
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