Description
This presentation by Sashin Ahuja and Mike Grewitt focuses on the importance of assessing and treating back pain in children, highlighting the prevalence of both organic and mechanical etiology of pediatric back pain. They discuss the challenges faced due to varied ages and associated pathologies, emphasizing a clinical framework that relies on identifying red flags such as systemic symptoms and neurological deficits.
Mike Grewitt explains the roles of clinical evaluation and imaging techniques, illustrating how to differentiate between serious organic conditions and non-threatening mechanical issues. The concerns over increasing sedentary lifestyles leading to mechanical back pain are addressed, alongside evidence from studies demonstrating the prevalence of significant pathologies in children with back pain complaints. The presentation underlines the importance of history-taking, clinical examination, and judicious use of imaging, advocating for a conservative approach where possible. Ultimately, the talk concludes with a call for vigilance in identifying red flags while promoting routine symptom management in pediatric patients.