GP Surgery

Mavis Bridges comes to see you at the surgery. She is a 62 year old woman who rarely attends the surgery. You call her into your room and ask what has brought her in today?

She tells you that she has had a troublesome back ache for the last couple of weeks. It 'crept up on her' and has been increasingly uncomfortable. Over the last few days it has disturbed her sleep. She describes it as a constant dull pain in her mid/lower back. It does not radiate anywhere. She has been taking over-the-counter pain killers, with minimal relief.

On direct questioning - she denies any difficulties walking or bladder or bowel problems.

What would you like to do now?