The Rational Clinical Examination
David L. Simel, Drummond Rennie
Low Back Pain, Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
David L. Simel
Make the Diagnosis: Low Back Pain, Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Topics Discussed:
criterion standard comparisons (diagnostic tests), konno score, low back pain, make the diagnosis, neurogenic claudication, prior probability, romberg test, spinal stenosis, spinal stenosis of lumbar region
Excerpt:
"While low back pain seems ubiquitous, in adults 
55 years old
the radiologists' qualitative impression of radiographic
lumbar spinal stenosis is also common with estimated 21%-30% prevalence for
moderate stenosis and 6%-7% with severe stenosis.1 However,
the clinical syndrome of lumbar spinal stenosis requires both the
presence of characteristic symptoms and signs, along with radiographic
or anatomic confirmation of narrowing or stenosis of the spinal
canal. The prevalence of the clinical syndrome of lumbar spinal
stenosis estimated from 2 separate studies was reported to be 12% of
older men in the general community2 and 21% of
older adults in a retirement community.3..."
Log in to read the full chapter:
Get full access to JAMAevidence two ways:
Subscribe to JAMAevidence
JAMAevidence is a subscription-
based website dedicated to the learning, teaching, and practicing of evidence-based medicine.
Pay Per View
Timed access to all of JAMAevidence
24 hours for $29.95
48 hours for $49.95