Some topical problems in the diagnosis and treatment of back pain

Abstract

Back pain is a topical problem for both a general practitioner and a neurologist because of not only the high rate of this syndrome, but also its differential diagnosis problems. As any clinical syndrome, back pain should be differentiated from very many other diseases. This is primarily determined by the tactics of the management and treatment of a patient with neck-and-chest or low back pain. Today the diagnosis of spinal osteochondrosis may be rather common as that of exclusion. A meticulous neurological examination is of importance when diagnosing back pain. A premium is also placed upon X-ray and neuroimaging studies. When back pain is treated, it is necessary to take into account the intensity of pain syndrome, its proneness to chronicity, the individual personality traits, and concomitant visceral involvement and to use both drug and non-drug treatments, among which remedial exercises and psychotherapy are considered most effective.

Keywords

• back pain
• diagnosis
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• myorelaxants