Abstract
In order to know the general features of low back pain and sciatica in the aged, about 1000 cases consisting of four groups aged 60 years or over were analysed. The results are summarized as follows:
1. About 60% of all the cases had low back pain and/or other related symptoms; about 20% had their activities disturbed to some extent; and about 25% wanted to be treated.
2. Low back pain was more frequent than sciatica or intermittent claudication, but the latter was more disabling.
3. Sciatica was very frequent on the affected side of the hemiplegic patients, and it was presumed to be related to some lesion of the central nervous system.
4. Significant relationship between radiographic abnormalities and symptoms or signs could not be detected.
5. Although conservative treatment has been a method of choice in most of the cases, an operative intervention should be considered for the cases of severe symptoms even in aged people.
