Measures that have proved helpful in backache.

Abstract

Backache is one of the commonest disabilities of adulthood. It is incapacitating for almost every type of activity, and it also interferes with adequate rest. Yet, for a number of reasons this disability may not be treated adequately. Because backaches are common but often temporary, the patient may desire to avoid extensive or expensive diagnostic procedures in the hope that the pain will disappear spontaneously. Low back pain is infrequently associated with fatal disease, so the patient believes that he is justified in temporizing. This pain results from a number of conditions, and the differential diagnosis may be difficult. Extensive diagnostic procedures often prove inadequate to locate the lesion. Bony anomalies, bony defects, and fractures will not be discussed here, as an adequate discussion of each of these conditions would require a lengthy paper. The diagnosis is made by roentgenography and treatment depends on the abnormality found in each case.