What is the prognosis for acute low back pain?

Abstract

The proportion of patients who are pain free or completely recovered after an acute episode of low back pain within 2 weeks to 6 months ranges from 21% to 90%, depending on the population studied and the method of measuring outcomes. The reported recurrence rates are also variable, from a low of 35% to a high of 75%, again depending on the length of follow-up and the study design. Grade of recommendation: C (on the basis of case-series, poor quality cohort studies, and case-control studies).