Investigation of the relation between low back pain and occupation. VII. Neurologic and orthopedic condition.

Neuro-orthopedic examination was carried out on 429 patients suffering from LBP, and on 271 controls. Neurological deficit was found in 49 LBP but in none of the controls. Of the orthopedic signs, the most significant indicators of LBP were hypolordosis, scoliosis, limitation of movement and contracted paraspinal muscles. Various degrees of affection of the hip joints were found in 49 LBP as against 4 controls; the majority of these patients complained of LBP and not of hip disorders. It is stressed that an early and thorough neuro-orthopedic examination is essential for diagnosis and therapy and has important legal implications, mainly with regard to the time factor.