Identifying Data
Full Name: B. W.
Sex: Male
DOB: xx/xx/1960
Date & Time: October 25, 2023
Location: Metropolitan Hospital
Source of Information: Self
Reliability: Reliable
Source of referral: Self
Mode of transportation: Taxi
Chief Complaint: “back pain” x 2 weeks
History of Present Illness:
63 y/o M with PMHx HTN presents to the ED c/o right sided back pain x 10 days. As per patient, pain began about 203 days after being handcuffed and placed in the back of a small police car where he states they “hit every bump” causing the right side of his back to repeatedly hit the seat. Describes pain as 8/10 stabbing sensation that worsens with movement. Pt reports pain has been intensifying over the past 3 days. Pain occasionally shoots down the arm to the wrist and is associated with a tingling sensation. Pt took 1 dose of ibuprofen 600 mg yesterday, no relief. Denies trauma, previous back injuries, numbness, urinary/bowel incontinence, saddle anesthesia, fever, chills, SOB, chest pain.
Differential diagnosis:
- MSK pain
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated disc
- Spinal stenosis
Past Medical History
Medical History:
- HTN, controlled with lifestyle modifications
- No past hospitalizations or history of blood transfusions.
Medications:
- No prescription medication use.
- Denies herbal supplement use.
Surgical History:
- No past surgical history.
Allergies:
- No known drug/food/environmental allergies
Family History:
- Mother: Age 90s, alive and well. PMHx HTN, DM2
- Father: Unknown
- No known family hx MI or cancer.
Social History:
- Smoking: Never
- Alcohol: Socially, 1-2 beers every few weeks
- Denies past or current illicit drug use
- Marital History: Married
- Language: English
- Occupational History: Retired veteran
- Travel: No recent travel
- Home situation: Lives in Queens apt with wife
- Sleep: Endorses adequate sleep
- Exercise: Reports daily exercise
- Diet: Reports balanced diet
- Caffeine: Denies caffeine use.
ROS:
- General: Denies fever, fatigue, chills, night sweats, weight loss/gain, changes in appetite.
- Skin, hair, nails: Denies discolorations, moles, rashes, changes in hair distribution or texture, pruritus.
- HEENT: Denies head trauma, vertigo, visual disturbances, ear pain, hearing loss, tinnitus, epistaxis, discharge, congestion, sore throat, bleeding gums.
- Neck: Denies localized swelling/lumps, stiffness/decreased ROM
- Pulmonary: Denies cough, dyspnea, wheezing, cyanosis, hemoptysis.
- Cardiovascular: Denies chest pain, edema/swelling of ankles or feet, palpitations.
- Gastrointestinal: Denies abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation.
- Genitourinary: Denies urinary urgency, urinary frequency, dysuria, hesitancy, dribbling.
- Musculoskeletal: Admits to back pain and arm tingling. Denies muscle pain, joint pain, arthritis, or swelling.
- Nervous system: Denies headache, loss of strength, change in cognition/mental status/memory.
- Peripheral vascular: Denies intermittent claudication, coldness of extremities, peripheral edema.
- Hematologic: Denies anemia, easy bruising or bleeding, lymph node enlargement, history of DVT/PE.
- Endocrine: Denies polydipsia, heat or cold intolerance, excessive sweating.
- Psychiatric: Denies depression or anxiety.
Physical Exam:
Vitals:
- Weight: 250 lb Height: 78 inches BMI: 28.9 kg/m2
- BP: 114/75, left arm sitting
- RR: 16, unlabored
- HR: 78, regular
- Temp: 98.6 F oral
- SpO2: 99% room air
General: 63-year-old male who appears stated age. A/O x 3 and sitting comfortably in chair.
HEENT: Normocephalic & atraumatic; PERRL; EOM intact.
Neck: Trachea midline. Neck supple and non-tender.
Heart: Regular rate and rhythm. S1 & S2 distinct with no murmurs or gallops.
Lungs: Clear to auscultation B/L. No adventitious sounds noted.
Abdominal: Abdomen symmetric and non-distended, with no scars. Normoactive bowel sounds in all 4 quadrants. No tenderness, no guarding or rebound.
Musculoskeletal: Full passive and active ROM of all extremities and back. Skin warm and intact, pulses intact. + Right sided para-spinal muscle tenderness. Arm strength and grip strength 5/5. Negative straight leg test B/L.
Assessment/Plan:
63 y/po M with PMHx HTN c/o right sided back pain and right arm tingling x 10 days after being handcuffed 2 weeks ago. Currently hemodynamically stable and in no acute distress. PE reveals FROM and right sided para-spinal muscle tenderness.
#Back pain
- Lidocaine patch
- Motrin 600 mg
- Robaxin 1000mg
- Reassess
Dispo: Discharge home
- Patient reported improvement of symptoms after receiving Motrin and lidocaine patch
- ER precautions given: SOB, chest pain, fever, urinary/bowel incontinence
- Follow up with PCP
- Patient feels well and wishes to go home. Verbally acknowledges and agrees with plan, discharge instructions and follow up give. All questions answers and concerns addressed.