Recognising the red flags of back pain

Back pain, particularly lower back pain (LBP) is one of the major causes of disability and a source of substantial healthcare spending in the world. It is also one of the top five medical problems in modern society. Since back pain is a symptom, it is important that the root cause of the problem is identified first before proper treatment can begin.

According to medical experts, the majority of back pain (almost 90 percent) is classified as “non-specific”, indicating that the exact cause of the pain is unclear. In fact 10 percent of patients with LBP may have other serious underlying pathology such as an infection or malignancy, which demands a timely and accurate diagnosis before proper treatment can be initiated. The signs and symptoms that suggest a patient’s back pain may be the result of a potentially serious pathology as opposed to the more common underlying causes such as tissue injury, sustained postural overload, or RSI are referred to as back pain red flags.

Therefore, the presence of any of the back pain red flags in a patient means that there is a need to thoroughly investigate the patient for other serious diseases such as cancer, inflammatory arthritis, abdominal aortic aneurysms, infections, and auto-immune diseases.

To share with our listeners what red flags to watch out for, the risk factors and potential implications of not seeking proper medical care, we speak to Dr. Kamalnizat Ibrahim, Orthopaedic Surgeon from KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital.

During the interview, Dr. Kamal shares medical insights on:

How someone can ascertain if their back pain is muscular-related or something more serious.
Red flags to take note of in regards to spinal conditions.
Causes of these red flags and some of the risk factors related to this.
When to draw the line when surgery or treatment is required.
Common issues faced by Malaysians in relation to back issues, particularly with the rise in work from home.
Advice and simple methods to alleviate back pains particular for those who work from home.
Paying close attention to one’s lifestyle – a common cause of back pain.
The importance of early intervention.