Table 5 Summary of results: Discursive summary of the agreed treatment options across all five pain presentations and three risk subgroups: low, medium and high
From: Matching treatment options for risk sub-groups in musculoskeletal pain: a consensus groups study
Low risk | Self-management education/ advice; simple pain medications limited to those available over the counter. |
Medium risk | In addition to options at low risk, may consider options such as: onward referral, e.g. physiotherapy, MSK interface clinic; or prescribing atypical analgesia. |
High risk | In addition to options at low and medium risk, may consider options such as: referral to psychosocial intervention or pain management service; refer to expert patient programme; refer for surgical opinion; address comorbidities, distress and frailty. |