Acute Back Pain Decision Tool

Acute Back Pain Decision Tool is a fast, evidence-based reference and decision-support aid for qualified healthcare professionals assessing adults with acute back pain.

FOR EDUCATIONAL & TRAINING USE ONLY — NOT FOR USE AS SOLE CLINICAL GUIDANCE.
Intended for qualified healthcare professionals. It is not a medical device, does not diagnose any condition, does not recommend treatment for any individual patient, and is not for use by patients or the general public.

WHAT IT DOES
Structured pathways that put the dangerous causes first — so red flags are checked early and cauda equina is never missed — then guide you through classification, management and safe discharge.

PATHWAYS
- Red flags — what must not be missed
- Cauda equina syndrome
- Spinal cord compression
- Classify the presentation
- Mechanical / non-specific back pain
- Radiculopathy / sciatica
- Serious causes — infection, malignancy, fracture, aneurysm
- Imaging — when and what
- Safe discharge & safety netting
- References

EVIDENCE BASE
Content reflects NICE, SIGN and RCP guidance, with a References section citing the sources behind each pathway. Always consult the original guidelines and your local protocols.

DESIGNED FOR THE BEDSIDE
- Works fully offline
- Clean, fast, dark interface
- Adjustable text size
- No ads

FREE TO TRY
The red-flag and cauda equina screens are open to everyone. A single one-time purchase unlocks all pathways — no subscription.

WHO IT'S FOR
Emergency medicine, acute and general medicine, on-call doctors, GPs, physiotherapists, and other clinicians who assess back pain.

IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ
This application is provided for educational and training purposes and as a decision-support aid for qualified healthcare professionals only. It does not provide a diagnosis, does not recommend treatment for any individual, and must not be used as the sole basis for any clinical decision. It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, local guidelines, specialist advice, or senior review. Always interpret any information in the context of the individual patient and your own professional judgement.