Lower back pain can make sitting, sleeping, lifting or getting through a workday uncomfortable. An orthopaedic assessment starts with when the pain began, where you feel it and whether it travels into a leg. The clinician may also ask about an injury, earlier episodes or changes in your daily activities. An examination helps guide the next step and whether imaging would add useful information.

Before your visit, think about which movements bring on the pain and what makes it ease. Bring reports or scans if you have already had an assessment, along with details of any care you have tried. Depending on the findings, the conversation may cover movement, physiotherapy, pain management or further investigation. Let your clinician know what matters most to you, whether that is sleeping comfortably, managing a commute or returning to exercise. Those goals help shape a care plan that fits your usual routine.