Methods of assessing progress in a chronic low back pain patient: a case report

It is important for the chiropractor to be able to assess and monitor the progress of patients with chronic pain syndromes This case demonstrates the use of verbal pain-scaling, the Revised Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (RODQ), orthopædic straight leg raise test and active range of lumbar motion as outcome measure and illustrates their relative advantages and shortcomings. The case describes the management of a Caucasian 51-year-old male with a long history of back pain and sciatica. His condition had been resistant to all forms of treatment to date. His activities of daily living and his quality of life had been significantly affected. He was assessed on initial presentation and again after one month of treatment and the results compared. The relative value and emphasis of different outcome measures is discussed along with their practical application in a clinical setting.