Final answer:
The patient with Type 2 DM and symptoms suggestive of lumbar radiculopathy could benefit from conservative treatments like NSAIDs, physical therapy, management of diabetes, and possibly a spine specialist referral.
Step-by-step explanation:
The clinical evidence suggests that a patient with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), acute low back pain, paresthesias in the dorsal foot, weakness in dorsiflexion, and a positive straight leg test likely has a lumbar radiculopathy or disc herniation affecting the nerve root. The positive straight leg test indicates irritation or compression of a lumbar nerve root, often due to a herniated disc. In managing this patient's condition, it is important to proceed with a mix of conservative treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, and possibly a referral for a spinal injection or consult with a spine specialist. Given the patient's Type 2 DM, it is important to closely monitor and manage their glucose levels to aid in the healing process and reduce the risk of further complications such as diabetic neuropathy, which can exacerbate the patient's symptoms and delay recovery.