Preventing Chronic Disability from Low Back Pain - Welfare.ie

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RENAISSANCE PROJECTPreventing Chronic Disability from Low Back Pain1. INTRODUCTIONBack pain is not a new phenomenon. Man has suffered from back painthroughout recorded history. There is no evidence that back pain has increasedin incidence or severity throughout the ages. Despite this, however, in Westernsociety, particularly in the past two decades, there has been a marked increasein chronic disability resulting from low back pain. In the hope of arresting, andperhaps, reversing this trend the Renaissance Project was conceived. Theconduct, conclusions and recommendations of the project are outlined below.2. DEFINITIONSPain The International Association for the Study of Pain defined pain as“an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actualor potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage”.Low Back Pain (LBP) is pain in the lumbo-sacral region, buttocks and thighs.Disability The World Health Organisation (WHO) defined disability as “anyrestriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in the manner or withinthe range considered normal for a human being”.Chronic Disability is disability lasting continuously for a period of 3 monthsor more.Diagnostic Triage diagnostic tool for the differential diagnosis of LBP.See Appendix A for further details.3. BACKGROUND3.1 Problem Identified6Chronic disability, arising from LBP, is increasing. This trend is common to mostindustrialised countries and worryingly continues in spite of Health and Safety
legislation, improved ergonomic practice, automation and advances intechnology and medical science.In addition to the human suffering involved there are substantial financialimplications involving healthcare cost, absenteeism, loss of production,insurance and sickness benefit costs. See Appendix B for increase in numbersand expenditure in social welfare illness-related schemes in Ireland. Aproportion of this increase (approximately 27%) is due to musculo-skeletalproblems, the majority of which is due to LBP.This is not solely a medical problem, there are many players involved who needcourageously, objectively and critically to reassess their particular roles in themanagement of low back pain. This presents a challenge to all of the playersinvolved, the main players being:●●●●●●●●●General Public, its Attitudes and BeliefsPerson with LBPMedical ProfessionLegal ProfessionEmployersUnionsThe Health and Safety AuthorityInsurance IndustrySocial Welfare Illness-Related Schemes3.2 Re-Assessment of Role of Social Welfare Illness-Related SchemesIn facing its challenge the Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA)decided to re-assess its particular role in the management of LBP.7
Page 1: Preventing Chronic Disabilityfrom L
Page 6 and 7: AcknowledgmentsThe author wishes to
Page 10 and 11: In appreciation of the facts that:a
Page 12 and 13: 7. MEDICAL ASSESSMENTSAs part of th
Page 14 and 15: 9. PROMOTING THE RENAISSANCE PROJEC
Page 16 and 17: 14APPENDICES
Page 18 and 19: APPENDIX A2:FORMS DESIGNED FOR USE
Page 20 and 21: 3.2 CAUDA EQUINA SYNDROMEYES NO●
Page 22 and 23: C: MEDICAL REPORT ON BACK CONDITION
Page 24 and 25: APPENDIX BGROWTH IN ILLNESS SCHEMES
Page 26 and 27: APPENDIX CSTATEMENTS FROM INTERNATI
Page 28 and 29: APPENDIX EOUTCOMES OF MEDICAL ASSES
Page 30 and 31: APPENDIX FOUTCOMES FOR APPEALS CASE
Page 32 and 33: APPENDIX GANALYSIS OF CLAIMS DURATI
Page 34 and 35: APPENDIX HOUTCOMES OF CALLS FOR ASS
Page 36 and 37: APPENDIX IESTIMATED SAVINGS FROM PR
Page 38: Table J: Comparison of outcomes of

Preventing Chronic Disability from Low Back Pain - Welfare.ie

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