prognosis
Last reviewed 10/2020
Majority of patients with acute low back pain have a good prognosis and recover within one month (1):
- patients usually return to work within one month
- further recovery may occur up to three months and pain and disability levels usually remain constant thereafter
- patients may continue to experience low levels of pain and disability for 3 to 12 months
- at least one recurrence is seen in most patients within a year (2)
Predictors of poor prognosis include:
- depression
- passive coping strategies
- job dissatisfaction
- somatization
- higher disability levels (3)
Reference:
1. Davies R. Low back pain. InnovAiT 2008;1(6):440-445
2. Pengel LHM et al. Acute low back pain: systemic review of its prognosis.
BMJ. 2003; 27(7410): 323
3. Elder WG et al. Managing lower back pain: you might be doing too much. J
Fam Pract. 2009;58(4):180-6