Back pain diagnostic study of choice

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Diagnostic Study of Choice
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Fahimeh Shojaei, M.D.

Diagnostic Study of Choice

• There is no single diagnostic study of choice for the diagnosis of back pain.
• Back pain is a symptom of an underlying condition, emphasis should be made in identifying the etiology.
• The diagnostic plan should include:
  • Detailed history
  • Physical examination
  • Identification of red flags
  • Imaging, if indicated
  • Laboratory evaluation (CBC, ESR, CRP, ANA, RF, LDH, uric acid, HLA-B27)