Investigation and management of patients with degenerative disc and vertebral disease

Back pain is a common complaint, which can be treated successfully with early rehabilitation and physiotherapy. Serious causes should be detected with the use of ‘red flags’ and surgery reserved for only the most severe cases. Degenerative disease may present with spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc herniation, which should be considered in patients presenting with ongoing back pain and radiculopathy. The clinical features, investigations and management of these pathologies are discussed here.