Costa et al reported a clinical definition for flare of low back pain that is understandable to patients. The authors are from multiple institutions from around the world.
Patient selection: recurrent or chronic low back pain
Criteria for a flare of low back pain - all of the following:
(1) worsening of the low back pain
(2) lasts from hours to weeks (but eventually gets better)
(3) difficult to tolerate
(4) impacts usual activities and/or emotions
Differential diagnosis:
(1) less significant fluctuation in back pain
(2) back pain from another cause
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