Comparison of a functional restoration program with active individual physical therapy for patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

Effective Conservative Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain

Evidence suggests that effective conservative treatment is available for chronic low back pain. The effectiveness of conservative treatment has recently received attention following publication of several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported similar improvements in outcomes from cognitive intervention with exercise as from spinal fusion surgery. This paper will explore the conservative treatment arms of these RCTs with the goal of educating the reader about the principles of cognitive intervention with exercise. These principles can be incorporated into the care of chronic low back pain patients both as primary treatment and as a means of augmenting surgical outcomes.

Management of low back pain in primary care prior to multidisciplinary functional restoration: a retrospective study of 72 patients

OBJECTIVE

Chronic low back pain is a major socioeconomic health issue, due to the high direct (healthcare) and indirect (sick leave) costs. The aim of the present study was to describe the primary care management of low back pain patients prior to their inclusion in a multidisciplinary functional restoration network.

METHODS

A descriptive, retrospective, questionnaire-based survey of the general practitioners dealing with 72 low back pain patients.

RESULTS

Patients had been monitored by their general practitioner for an average of four years, with a mean frequency of eight appointments per year per patient. Ninety-three percent and 60% of the patients had been referred to a rheumatologist and a surgeon, respectively. Ninety-eight percent had had lumbar radiographies, 80% had undergone a computed tomography scan and 64% had undergone magnetic resonance imaging. The most commonly prescribed medications were anti-inflammatories and first- or second-line analgesics. Thirty percent had already received morphine analgesics and 50% had taken antidepressants. Thirty-two percent had undergone lumbar surgery. Physiotherapy was frequently reported and, indeed, 6% of patients had participated in over 100 sessions. Total sick leave averaged 8.25 months over the study's follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

The time interval before referral to a multidisciplinary care team is long and so GPs should be encouraged and helped to organize this process earlier. It is also essential to determine factors which predict progression to chronic LBP.