Musculoskeletal lower back pain

Overview 
Theory 
Diagnosis 
Management 
Follow up 
Resources 

Prognosis

Approximately 90% of acute non-specific lower back pain improves within 4 to 6 weeks. The improvement is usually substantial, although many patients will continue to have some pain. One study found that only 25% of patients reported complete recovery at 12 months.[16]

The rates of recurrence are significant, with 50% to 59% experiencing some degree of recurrent lower back pain and 20% to 35% experiencing functionally disabling lower back pain between 6 and 22 months after their acute lower back pain.[163]

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