Nonspecific Low Back Pain (LBP) Can Occult a Serious Pathology: Case Report of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in a Young Patient.

ABSTRACT

Low Back Pain (LBP) is one of the main causes of disability in the whole world. In most cases, its presentation is considered benign and usually managed quite easily. However, in a low percentage of cases LBP is secondary to a serious pathology. Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), for instance, are often affected also by LBP, and LBP could also be an initial symptom of MS. Moreover, patients with MS can present with a w ide range of clinical symptoms, as the Restless Legs Syndrome – RLS. In these specific cases, the ability to recognize a serious pathology is a key component of the physical therapist practice. Both conditions, nonspecific LBP and RLS, have been found in a patient that was referred with diagnosis of bilateral sciatica.