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Carragee EJ, Hannibal M (2004). "Diagnostic evaluation of low back pain." Orthopedic Clinics of North America, 35(2004): 7–16.

Tay BKB, et al. (2014). "Disorders, diseases, and injuries of the spine." In HB Skinner, PJ McMahon, eds., Current Diagnosis and Treatment in Orthopedics, 5th ed., pp. 156–229. New York: McGraw-Hill.

What do the results tell you?

Symptoms of low back problems, such as back pain and pain down the back of the leg, usually go away by themselves within several weeks. Most people with back pain don't need to see the doctor unless they have severe pain or their symptoms aren't getting better after about 4 weeks. And they don't start having any tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), unless they have had symptoms for at least 6 weeks or they've had other "red flags" such as signs of nerve damage. Surgery is not considered until after that.


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Current as of: March 9, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Robert B. Keller MD - Orthopedics