Patient guide
Back & spine
Choose a condition or topic
Conditions and topics
Mechanical low back pain and muscle strain
Overview, symptoms and care↗Lumbar disc herniation
Overview, symptoms and care↗Lumbar spinal stenosis
Overview, symptoms and care↗Spondylolysis (pars stress fracture)
Overview, symptoms and care↗Lumbar spondylolisthesis
Overview, symptoms and care↗Lumbar facet osteoarthritis and pain
Overview, symptoms and care↗Sacroiliac joint pain
Overview, symptoms and care↗Axial spondyloarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
Overview, symptoms and care↗Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture
Overview, symptoms and care↗Traumatic spinal fracture
Overview, symptoms and care↗Adult scoliosis
Overview, symptoms and care↗Scheuermann kyphosis
Overview, symptoms and care↗Vertebral osteomyelitis and discitis
Overview, symptoms and care↗Spinal epidural abscess
Overview, symptoms and care↗Spinal metastases
Overview, symptoms and care↗Primary spinal and spinal canal tumours
Overview, symptoms and care↗Cauda equina syndrome
Overview, symptoms and care↗Piriformis syndrome and deep gluteal pain
Overview, symptoms and care↗Thoracic disc herniation
Overview, symptoms and care↗Fibromyalgia with back pain
Overview, symptoms and care↗No match. Try a shorter term.
How is it assessed?
Start with the history and clinical examination. The clinician selects imaging or tests according to findings; a scan alone does not diagnose the cause of pain.