Preview
Back pain seems almost ubiquitous in our society. Every day, physicians hear complaints of backaches, yet diagnosis is often difficult because of the need to rely on the patient's subjective interpretation of the pain. The most difficult clinical decisions arise when the history and physical examination are compelling and seem diagnostic of disk disease yet corroborative tests fail to demonstrate evidence of disease. In this exhaustive review, the authors discuss the clinical findings necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment of lumbar disk disease.