Occupational low back pain: Recovery curves and factors associated with disability

• Published in: Journal of occupational rehabilitation 1997-03, Vol.7 (1), p.1-14
• Main Authors: Reid, S, Haugh, L D, Hazard, R G, Tripathi, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1053-0487; 1573-3688
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02765872

Review of the literature shows significant variation in the rates of recovery from an episode of low back pain (LBP). Two hundred and seven workers filing a "First Report of Injury" form with the Vermont Department of Labor and Industry were contacted 3 months post-injury to determine time until first return-to-work, work status, lost workdays, and factors such as pain intensity and satisfaction with health care. Overall, 69.4% of the workers had first returned to work within 1 week, 85.9% within 1 month, and 93.7% by 3 months. Three months post-injury, 8.7% of these workers were not working (disabled) due to their LBP. On a scale of 0-10, the disabled reported substantially more pain in the past few days (p = .0001) and a higher level of "worst pain since injury" (p = .004). Those disabled were less likely to feel they had received the right treatment for their LBP (p = .05). Researchers and clinicians need a clear understanding of recovery curves to assess the effectiveness of any interventions.