Back Pain Quiz
Questions: 15 · 10 minutes
1. Which whole-body symptom best matches this episode of back pain?
I have no fever, chills, unusual sweating, or unexplained appetite or weight change
I feel somewhat more tired than usual, without fever or chills
I have persistent night sweats, reduced appetite, or a recurring raised temperature
I have a measured fever or shaking chills and feel seriously unwell, confused, or unusually weak
2. During walking or climbing stairs, how has leg strength changed?
My leg strength feels normal
A leg feels tired sooner, but I can complete my usual movements
A leg occasionally gives way, or stairs and rising from a chair have become noticeably harder
I have new or worsening weakness, foot dragging, or difficulty lifting the front of my foot
3. Apart from your back, where else are you feeling severe or unusual symptoms?
Nowhere; the symptoms are confined to my back or nearby muscles
I have mild nausea or general discomfort, without chest or abdominal pain
Pain wraps into my abdomen or ribs, but I am not faint, breathless, or acutely unwell
I have sudden severe chest or abdominal pain, fainting, marked breathlessness, or a pulsing abdominal sensation
4. What physical event occurred shortly before the pain started?
There was no fall, collision, blow, or unusual physical event
It developed gradually after ordinary activity or a modest increase in activity
It began suddenly during lifting, twisting, or a forceful movement
It followed a significant fall, vehicle collision, sports impact, crushing event, or direct blow
5. Since the back pain began, what change have you noticed in bladder, bowel, or groin-area sensation?
No new change in bladder or bowel control, and no numbness around the groin or seat area
I am urinating more often, but control and sensation remain normal
I have new difficulty starting urination, emptying fully, or sensing when I need to go
I have lost bladder or bowel control, or developed numbness around the groin, genitals, or seat area
6. What usually happens when you try to sleep?
I can sleep normally or settle after a simple position change
Getting comfortable takes longer, but I sleep for most of the night
Pain wakes me repeatedly or regularly shortens my sleep
Pain prevents sleep for much of the night or remains intense in every position
7. What change in leg or foot sensation have you noticed?
No new tingling, numbness, or reduced sensation
Brief pins and needles occur in one position and clear when I move
Tingling or numbness returns regularly or lasts after I change position
I have persistent numbness, a clear loss of sensation, or cannot reliably feel part of my leg or foot
8. After gentle movement, position changes, and the self-care measures you normally use safely, what pattern do you notice?
The pain settles and the overall trend is improving
Relief is temporary, but symptoms are not clearly worsening
There is little improvement, or the same limiting flare keeps returning
Symptoms continue to escalate, become severe at rest, or make movement increasingly difficult
9. How is the pain affecting dressing, washing, work, study, caregiving, or household tasks?
I can complete my usual tasks with little or no adjustment
I complete them by pacing myself or changing how I move
I regularly postpone tasks or need help with some activities
I cannot manage basic self-care or essential daily responsibilities because of the pain
10. Imagine you need to walk through a shop or around your home. What best describes your current ability?
I can walk my usual distance without meaningful restriction
I walk more slowly or take one extra pause
I need frequent rests, support, or a substantially shorter route
I cannot walk safely or manage essential movement without significant help
11. How do coughing, sneezing, or straining affect your symptoms?
They do not change the back or leg symptoms
They sometimes cause a brief twinge confined to my back
They repeatedly increase buttock or thigh pain
They consistently trigger sharp, electric pain or numbness shooting down a leg
12. How far does the pain or an electric, burning sensation travel from your back?
It stays in my back
It reaches the buttock or hip area
It travels into one thigh but generally stays above the knee
It shoots below the knee into the calf, ankle, foot, or toes
13. When standing or walking, what happens in your legs?
Standing and walking do not cause leg symptoms
I notice mild buttock or thigh discomfort only after prolonged activity
Leg pain or tingling regularly makes me pause or change position
Symptoms affect both legs, significantly limit walking, or rapidly intensify while I am upright
14. How long has this episode lasted, and what has its overall course been?
Less than a week, with clear improvement
About one to four weeks, with a mixture of better and worse days
More than four weeks, with little sustained improvement
More than twelve weeks, or it is worsening rapidly regardless of duration
15. Which health-history context applies to this new or changing back pain?
None of the listed health-history factors applies to me
I have a condition that affects general health, but it is stable and not linked to recent illness
I have diagnosed osteoporosis, prolonged steroid use, or a recent infection that has not fully settled
I have a history of cancer, major immune suppression, or a recent serious infection