[Value of McKenzie examination in clinical diagnosis of back pain caused by infection or metastasis].

Abstract

Introduction: Back pain caused by metastases and infections are rare and are called "red flags". The aim of this study conducted for physiotherapy needs was to answer questions asked during taking a subjective examination among patients with serious spine pathology.

Material and methods: Examinations conducted according to McKenzie method were compared. 17 patients were evaluated. In I group were 7 persons with metastasis, in II group 10 patients with infection of the spine.

Results: Results were statistically evaluated by Chi-square test. Exact Fisher test for small groups was used. The most characteristic for patients with metastasis were: constant pain, increasing of pain during movement, decreasing during lying, and poor health and weight loosing. For infection typical signs was fever accompanying pain.

Conclusions: (1) Clinical examination plays key role in diagnostic. (2) Own surveys confirmed that McKenzie subjective examination enables physiotherapists to avoid traps in diagnosis of red flags. (3) Constant pain, weight loosening are characteristic for metastasis, and for infection constant pain and fever.