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| Has there been a fall/RTA/trauma? | |
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NO  2 |
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| Has there been sudden onset of low back pain following an action of lifting/ twisting? | |
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YES
 3
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| Bending forwards, is it painful? | |
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YES
6
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| Is the patient standing with a lateral pelvic shift? | |
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YES
7
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| Palpate Lumbar segments, is it painful? | |
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YES
8
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| Sitting slouched, straighten patient’s leg, lift toes, and bend head forward. Is it painful or is altered sensation felt? | |
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YES
9
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| Therapist lifts painful leg straight up into the air. Is it painful or is altered sensation felt? Patient may lift head to test further | |
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YES
10
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| Test reflexes, myotomes, and dermatomes. Are some positive? | |
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YES
 Disc pain
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| Has there been a fall/RTA/trauma? | |
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| NO 2 |
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| Has there been sudden onset of low back pain following an action of lifting/ twisting? | |
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NO 11
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| Palpate Lx segments, is it painful | |
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YES
12
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| Is patient over 50yrs old? | |
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YES
13
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| When walking up hill or bent forward, is it less painful? | |
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YES
Lumbar stenosis
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| Has there been a fall/RTA/trauma? | |
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| NO 2 |
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| Has there been sudden onset of low back pain following an action of lifting/ twisting? | |
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YES
3
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| Bending forwards, is it painful? | |
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NO 4
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| Bending backwards, is it painful? | |
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YES
11
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| Palpate Lumbar segments, is it painful? | |
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YES
12
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| Is patient under 50yrs old? | |
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YES
Facet joint pain
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| Has there been a fall/RTA/trauma? | |
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| NO 2 |
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| Has there been sudden onset of low back pain following an action of lifting/ twisting? | |
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YES
3
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| Bending forwards, is it painful? | |
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NO 4
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| Bending backwards, is it painful? | |
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YES
5
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| Bending to the right and left, is it painful? | |
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YES
14
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| Is increased muscle tension evident in muscles along back? | |
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YES
15
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| Feel the muscle bellies along the lower spine and above the pelvis is it painful to touch? | |
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YES
Muscle spasm/ strain
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| Has there been a fall/RTA/trauma? | |
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| NO 2 |
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| Has there been sudden onset of low back pain following an action of lifting/ twisting? | |
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NO 11
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| Palpate Lumbar segments, is it painful? | |
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YES
12
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| Is patient over 50yrs old? | |
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YES
13
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| When walking up hill or bent forward, is it less painful? | |
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YES
Arthritis
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| Has there been a fall/RTA/trauma? | |
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| NO 2 |
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| Has there been sudden onset of low back pain following an action of lifting/ twisting? | |
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NO 11
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| Palpate Lumbar segments, is it painful? | |
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NO 15
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| Feel the muscle bellies along the lower spine and above the pelvis is it painful to touch? | |
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NO 17
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| Pick up skin, and roll it between fingers. Does it feel painful and tight? | |
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YES
Myofascial tightness
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| Has there been a fall/RTA/trauma? | |
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YES
18
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| Has the patient had an x-ray? | |
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YES
19
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NO Immobilise, go to hospital
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| Is the fracture unstable? | |
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Unstable, go to treatment
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NO Stable, go to treatment
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