Back pain in childhood and adolescence.

Back pain in childhood and adolescence is not uncommon in general practice. Persistent or severe pain, particularly when accompanied by tenderness, restriction of movement and hamstring spasm, should promote an energetic search for the cause. Among the more useful diagnostic tools--now firmly established and often providing early localisation--is the bone scan. No less essential than before are patience in taking a history and a thorough physical examination as preliminaries to early and accurate diagnosis.