Basildon EM Handbook 2018

Root pain

March 2018 | by EMauthor

•Proper history taking will identify this condition

•The commonest cause is prolapsed intervertebral disc, but can be caused by spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis and spinal tumours

•Differentiate from referred pain by the fact that it follows segmental distribution and so for the common L4/L5 or L5/S1 disc problem it radiates below the knee, while referred pain from back condition such as facet joint problem will be felt locally such as in buttocks but it is above the knee

•Always perform a complete neurological examination

Treatment consists of adequate analgesia including parenteral opiates or PR voltarol initially, and if the pain settles then discharge with analgesia with GP follow up

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