Worker assessment for future back disability using prediction factors.

Abstract

The prevalence and economic cost of the low-back pain problem hardly needs to be mentioned in this journal. Disability ensuing from bouts of low-back pain claims a significant proportion of payments by Worker's Compensation Boards and national treasuries. Any attempt which may enhance our understanding of any aspect of this debilitating affliction, and perhaps more so its predictive capability, will go a long way towards optimization of management strategies. These management strategies, when refined and properly implemented, will have the potential not only of reducing the cost, but also of enhancing the health and safety of workers.