Back pain in young people: algorithm of management in practice of primary physician

Abstract

Back pain (BP) is a major public health problem worldwide with high prevalence and disability. In most cases are associated with degenerative spinal disease (degenerative disc disease, DDD), myofascial syndrome, facet joint syndrome, spinal spondylosis, scoliotic deformation, sacroilial joint dysfunction, lumbar stenosis and other causes. The article describes the basics of the doctor’s approach to the diagnosis of back pain, describes the main strategies of patients routing. The algorithm proposed here includes detection of dangerous conditions, verification of inflammatory rhythm of BP according to criteria ASAS 2009, revealing of persistent phenotype of the lower back pain, stratifying patients for the risk of chronic lower back pain StarT Back in mechanical rhythm; multidisciplinary approach with inclusion of the rheumatologist in specialists team, and after initial consultation the therapist gives direction to the rheumatologist, if necessary. A therapist who treats a patient with persistent BS and a high risk of chronization without symptoms of “red flags” should prescribe an magnetic resonance imaging of the spine. The detection of total lesion of the vertebral motor segments in the case of severe back pain is the basis for the diagnosis of spinal osteoarthritis and subsequent prescription of non-medicamentous and pharmacological therapy, including SYSADOA, in particular Alflutop. The developed algorithm allows to quickly diagnose spinal osteoarthritis at a young age and to suspect axial spondylitis. Presented triad of MR-traits associated with persistent phenotype pain, which will help the therapist to establish the diagnosis of spinal osteoarthritis. The algorithm clearly describes the routing of patients to related specialists (rheumatologist, neurologist, etc.) according to the identified data.