Spinal problems are one of the most common presentations confronting general practitioners. GPs see over 5 million patients per year in relation to back pain alone. It is one of the most common causes of absence from work and has an estimated treatment cost of £12 billion.

Written by a multidisciplinary team of authors, including doctors, physiotherapists, and osteopaths, theABC of Spinal Disorders is uniquely placed to address the causes and management of the different spinal conditions presenting in general practice. Providing practical guidance and advice on diagnosis, treatment, and when to refer the patient for further help, it is ideal for general practitioners, junior doctors, Foundation doctors, and all allied health professionals.

Andrew Clarke, Specialist Registrar in Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital - Peninsula Deanery.

Alwyn Jones, MB ChB, MSc (Orthopaedic Engineering), FRCS (Trauma and Orthopaedics), Consultant Spinal Surgeon, University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff, UK.

Michael O'Malley, MB ChB, MSc (Orthopaedic engineering), FRCS (Trauma and Orthopaedics). Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Warrington Hospital. Has a specialist interest spinal surgery and was the British Orthopaedic Association Spinal Fellow at Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham.

Robert McLaren, General Practitioner with specialist interest in Musculo-skeletal Medicine.

Contributors vii

Preface ix

1 Clinical Assessment of the Patient with Back Pain 1Philip Sell Steve Longworth

2 Imaging of Spinal Disorders 7M.P. Caplan

3 The Paediatric Spine 11Alwyn Jones

4 The Cervical Spine 14Tim Germon

5 Back Pain 19Simon MacLean Claire Chambers Andrew Clarke

6 Sciatica Stenosis and Spondylolisthesis 22Anthony T. Helm R. O. Sundaram Michael OMalley

7 Tumours Infection and Inflammation 26Rathan Yarlagadda Daniel Chan

8 Whiplash 31Kate Prince Andrew Clarke Alwyn Jones

9 Osteoporosis and Osteoporotic Spinal Fractures 34John R. Andrews

10 Physiotherapy in Spinal Conditions 39Adrian Brown

11 Osteopathy 43Walter Llewellyn McKone

12 Chiropractic 46Richard Brown

13 Pain Management 49Darryl Johnston

14 Psychological Approaches to Managing Chronic Back Pain 52Elenor McLaren Robert McLaren

Index 57