Diagnosis thumb|400x400px|Diagnostic work-up for acute back pain Initial assessment of back pain consists of a history and physical examination. Important characterizing features of back pain include location, duration, severity, history of prior back pain and possible trauma. Other important components of the patient history include age, physical trauma, prior history of cancer, fever, weight loss, urinary incontinence, progressive weakness or expanding sensory changes, which can indicate a medically urgent condition.
Diagnosis thumb|400x400px|Diagnostic work-up for acute back pain Initial assessment of back pain consists of a history and physical examination. Important characterizing features of back pain include location, duration, severity history of prior back pain and possible trauma. Other important components of the patient history include age, physical trauma, prior history of cancer, fever, weight loss, urinary incontinence progressive weakness or expanding sensory changes, which can indicate a medically urgent condition