Expenditures for nonspecific back injuries in the workplace.

This study reports results based on the 29,421 Tennessee Workers' Compensation claims that were closed in 1986. The study encompasses over $160 million in paid claims. Nearly 8000 cases (27%) involved back injuries, of which more than 90% were nonspecific. Forty percent of the total expenditures were for these nonspecific back injuries. Counterpart data on 8696 injuries involving extremities are included for comparison. Medical expenses account for about 40% of all payments. Data concerning time intervals between injury and return to work are provided. Separate analyses reveal characteristics of those subjects in the highest total expenditure decile, the 2941 subjects who received 57% of total dollar payments. This report provides fiscal data supporting recent appeals for a reappraisal of the clinical management of nonspecific back problems.