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Musculoskeletal
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Acute Low Back Pain
Flowchart
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Red flags decide imaging; otherwise conservative.
Decision
Outcome
Decision
Acute low back pain. Red flags?
✓
None → conservative care (NSAIDs, activity, no imaging) × 4–6 weeks
✓
Cauda equina (saddle anesthesia, retention, bilateral weakness) → emergent MRI + neurosurgery
✓
Fever, IVDU, immunosuppression → MRI for epidural abscess / osteomyelitis
✓
Trauma, osteoporosis → spinal X-ray then MRI if abnormal
✓
Cancer history, weight loss → MRI
✓
Progressive neurologic deficits → MRI
Outcome
NSAIDs, stay active, return precautions
Outcome
Emergency decompression
Outcome
Blood cultures, IV antibiotics, drainage if abscess
Outcome
Bracing, vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty for unstable compression fractures
Outcome
MRI; treat per pathology
Outcome
MRI; surgical referral
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