EPIDEMIOLOGY

EPIDEMIOLOGY

The lifetime prevalence of low back pain has been reported to be 60–80%. By contrast, the lifetime prevalence of true sciatica is 2–4%. It is generally accepted that 90% of acute low back pain episodes settle, allowing return to work within 6 weeks. However, some 5–7% of the population aged between 45 and 64 years will report back problems as a ‘chronic sickness’. Up to 70% of acute episodes of sciatica resolve within 3 months. Summary box 37.1 Epidemiology /uni25CF /uni25CF /uni25CF /uni25CF

Low back pain is extremely common 90% of acute low back pain episodes settle within 6 weeks Sciatica is much less frequent 70% of acute sciatic episodes settle within 3 months

EPIDEMIOLOGY

The lifetime prevalence of low back pain has been reported to be 60–80%. By contrast, the lifetime prevalence of true sciatica is 2–4%. It is generally accepted that 90% of acute low back pain episodes settle, allowing return to work within 6 weeks. However, some 5–7% of the population aged between 45 and 64 years will report back problems as a ‘chronic sickness’. Up to 70% of acute episodes of sciatica resolve within 3 months. Summary box 37.1 Epidemiology /uni25CF /uni25CF /uni25CF /uni25CF

Low back pain is extremely common 90% of acute low back pain episodes settle within 6 weeks Sciatica is much less frequent 70% of acute sciatic episodes settle within 3 months

EPIDEMIOLOGY

The lifetime prevalence of low back pain has been reported to be 60–80%. By contrast, the lifetime prevalence of true sciatica is 2–4%. It is generally accepted that 90% of acute low back pain episodes settle, allowing return to work within 6 weeks. However, some 5–7% of the population aged between 45 and 64 years will report back problems as a ‘chronic sickness’. Up to 70% of acute episodes of sciatica resolve within 3 months. Summary box 37.1 Epidemiology /uni25CF /uni25CF /uni25CF /uni25CF

Low back pain is extremely common 90% of acute low back pain episodes settle within 6 weeks Sciatica is much less frequent 70% of acute sciatic episodes settle within 3 months