A review of basic science issues in low back pain

This review article is based on a workshop, "New Horizons in Low Back Pain" that was held in November 1995 in San Diego, California. The current article follows the 1995 workshop format of a series of three case study models. Three classical clinical profiles were presented for consideration: lumbar radiculopathy, idiopathic (degenerative disk) low back pain, and degenerative stenosis. This article summarizes the basic science perspectives that were presented and discussed on each topic.