What is the pain source? A case report of a patient with low back pain and bilateral hip osteonecrosis
Amy L Minkalis, Robert D Vining, Amy L Minkalis, Robert D Vining
Abstract
Background: Low back pain is a common symptom arising from many possible sources and includes the possibility of the contribution of remote pathology. This report describes a patient with bilateral osteonecrosis of the femoral heads presenting with a primary symptom of low back pain.
Case presentation: A 37-year-old male presented for evaluation of dominant pain that existed for approximately 6-12 months and was located in the right low back. Milder pain was also reported in the right hip. Low back and hip pain were both aggravated by weight-bearing activities. An evidence-based diagnostic evaluation revealed little indication for a primary pain source originating from low back structures. Radiographs revealed bilateral osteonecrosis with evidence of left femoral head collapse.
Conclusion: Hip osteonecrosis may have contributed to an atypical presentation of low back pain due to aberrant localization of pain and/or combined with altered biomechanical loading of musculoskeletal structures.
Keywords: avascular necrosis; chiropractic; diagnosis; hip joint; low back pain; osteonecrosis.
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Source: PubMed