Anterior spinal tenderness in low-back pain syndromes.

This paper describes the clinical sign of anterior tenderness of the lumbar spine in patients with low-back pain, the method of examination recommended, and the possible significance of such tenderness. The precise mechanism of this tenderness is not clear because of a lack of knowledge of the neuroanatomy of the anterior part of the spine. Anterior palpation of the lumbar spine should be considered part of a full routine examination in patients with low-back pain. Long-term follow-up and observations will be required before the full significance of this sign is revealed.