Back Pain Red Flags

• Greater than 6 weeks duration of symptoms
• Abnormal neurologic exam
• Fever
• Hx of IVDA
• Hx of cancer
• Hx of back surgery
  
• Immunocompromised (meds, hx of HIV)
• Unintentional weight loss
  
• Bowel or bladder incontinence
• Age < 16 or Age > 50
• Pain radiating down both legs
• Pain worse at night or at rest

Cauda Equina

• Back pain or sciatica (96%)
• Urinary problems (89%) - PVR is normally < 50 mL
• Saddle anesthesia or hypoethesia (81%)
• defecation dysfunction (47%)