Question

Chris is a 28-year-old male who complains of lower back pain that began 3 days ago. The pain is worse when he stands or bends, and it is somewhat relieved when he sits. The clinician performs the straight-leg raise test and it is negative. Plain film x-ray is positive. Which diagnosis is most likely?

Answer 1

Osteoarthritis

explanation - osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs when flexible tissue at the ends of bones wears down

Answer 2

Plain film X-ray cannot tell much about the diagnosis of pain but is helpful in indicating a vertebral fracture, a swelling in the lumbar region, spinal stenosis, disc replacement.

Step-by-step explanation

If the straight leg test is negative, it shows that the lower back pain is localized and non-radiating. A positive X-ray of the lower back i.e. the lumbosacral spine region is indicative of spinal stenosis, lumbar strain, sciatica etc. Any localized injury due to strain may cause low back pain.