Back Pain Back Pain 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which spinal region is most commonly affected by chronic back pain?
- Lumbar spine (Correct answer)
- Thoracic spine
- Cervical spine
- Sacral spine
Correct answer: Lumbar spine
The lumbar spine bears the most body weight and mechanical stress, making it the most common site of chronic back pain.
Question 2: A patient reports low back pain radiating down the back of one leg past the knee. This pattern is most consistent with which condition?
- Muscle strain
- Kidney stones
- Spinal stenosis of the cervical spine
- Sciatica (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Sciatica
Pain radiating below the knee along the posterior leg suggests sciatic nerve irritation, typically from lumbar nerve root compression.
Question 3: Which of the following is considered a 'red flag' symptom requiring urgent evaluation in a patient with back pain?
- Pain worse after sitting for an hour
- Morning stiffness lasting 10 minutes
- Loss of bowel or bladder control (Correct answer)
- Mild soreness after exercise
Correct answer: Loss of bowel or bladder control
Bowel or bladder dysfunction may indicate cauda equina syndrome, a surgical emergency.
Question 4: For most cases of acute nonspecific low back pain, what is the recommended first-line management?
- Strict bed rest for two weeks
- Staying active and using NSAIDs as needed (Correct answer)
- Immediate MRI imaging
- Opioid medication
Correct answer: Staying active and using NSAIDs as needed
Guidelines recommend remaining active with short-term NSAIDs, as bed rest and early imaging do not improve outcomes.
Question 5: Which structure acts as a cushion between adjacent vertebrae?
- Ligamentum flavum
- Spinous process
- Intervertebral disc (Correct answer)
- Facet capsule
Correct answer: Intervertebral disc
The intervertebral disc, with its gel-like nucleus pulposus, absorbs shock between vertebral bodies.
Question 6: Which occupational factor most increases the risk of developing low back pain?
- Working in a well-lit office
- Standing for 30 minutes daily
- Repetitive heavy lifting with twisting (Correct answer)
- Typing on a keyboard
Correct answer: Repetitive heavy lifting with twisting
Combined lifting and twisting places high compressive and shear loads on the lumbar discs.
Question 7: What is the term for a forward slippage of one vertebra over the one below it?
- Scoliosis
- Kyphosis
- Spondylolisthesis (Correct answer)
- Spondylitis
Correct answer: Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is the anterior displacement of a vertebra relative to the vertebra beneath it.
Back Pain Back Pain 2
Which spinal region is most commonly affected by chronic back pain?