Authors: Blom A.; Taylor A.; Whitehouse S.; Orr B.; Smith E.

Source: Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England, Volume 84, Number 5, September 2002 , pp. 342-343(2)

Publisher: The Royal College of Surgeons of England

Abstract:

The treatment of lower back pain constitutes a major problem for orthopaedic surgeons. Identifying the patients who have a non-organic component to their lower back pain is often difficult. Waddell et al. (Waddell G, McCulloch HA, Kummel E, Venner RM. Non-organic physical signs in low-back pain. Spine 1980; 5: 117–25) devised a set of five physical signs to assist in determining this. These signs are time consuming and can be difficult to interpret. We have developed a sign that is simple, quick and easy to perform. In a set of 94 patients, we have compared our sign with Waddell's signs. Our sign has a highly significant correlation with Waddell's signs (² = 55.093, P < 0.001), and thus we would suggest it as an accurate alternative to Waddell's signs.

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Keywords: LOWER BACK PAIN; WADDELL; HEEL-TAP TEST

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK

Publication date: 2002-09-01

More about this publication?

• The Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England is the official journal of the College and is published eight times a year in January, March, April, May, July, September, October and November. The main aim of the journal is to publish high quality, peer-reviewed papers that relate to all branches of surgery.
  
  The Annals also includes letters and comments, a regular technical section, NICE news, controversial topics, CORESS feedback, book reviews and the best trainee presentations from England and Wales. The editorial board is composed of members of the College Council and experts from across the surgical specialties.
  
  Archive issues of the Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England are available via the PubMed Central database
  
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