Diagnose chronischer Rückenschmerzen
摘要
Among Austrian adults aged between 45 and 59, a health survey in 2019 revealed that chronic back and neck pain are the first and second most common health problems complained about. Preventing chronicity therefore not only plays a decisive medical role, but also an economic one. Efficient treatment requires a correct and comprehensive diagnosis. The physician is faced with the task of recording and interpreting all the important elements required to make a decision in a short space of time. The increasing time and cost pressures in medicine are putting a strain on physicians. If the older, experienced physician has the resources to make a correct diagnosis in less time, young, inexperienced physicians face ethical and practical difficulties because they logically need more time. This article is intended to provide a multidisciplinary (rheumatological–orthopaedic), comprehensive and practical overview of the current status of diagnosis of chronic back pain. The aim is to provide physicians with a helpful tool for their daily practice. Due to the extensive subject matter, laboratory tests, imaging procedures and, above all, therapy must be dealt with separately.