Differential diagnosis of low back pain

Low back pain is a symptom affecting millions of adults annually. The etiology of low back pain may be difficult to determine at times because of the number of diverse anatomic structures located in or near the low back region. These structures may be causing direct or referred pain patterns. An accurate diagnosis is essential for both acute and chronic low back pain conditions. The discussion in this article is extensive but not all-inclusive, and the clinician should consult other sources for more detailed description of the less common differential diagnoses.