Which is the leading cause of lost work time and disability for people under age 45?

Which is the leading cause of lost work time and disability for people under age 45?

• A. Knee pain
• B. Low back pain
• C. Hip pain
• D. Ankle pain

Answer: (B)

Low back pain is the leading cause of lost work time and disability in people under 45 because it is extremely common in this group and tends to limit a wide range of essential activities—lifting, bending, sitting, standing, walking—more than pain confined to a single joint. In younger adults, knee, hip, or ankle problems are often due to acute injuries or localized issues and, while painful, usually affect specific tasks and may resolve more quickly. Back pain, by contrast, tends to be recurrent and can disrupt many daily activities, leading to more days off work. Early, active management with graded return to activity helps minimize time away from work, whereas prolonged rest can prolong disability.

Low back pain is the leading cause of lost work time and disability in people under 45 because it is extremely common in this group and tends to limit a wide range of essential activities—lifting, bending, sitting, standing, walking—more than pain confined to a single joint. In younger adults, knee, hip, or ankle problems are often due to acute injuries or localized issues and, while painful, usually affect specific tasks and may resolve more quickly. Back pain, by contrast, tends to be recurrent and can disrupt many daily activities, leading to more days off work. Early, active management with graded return to activity helps minimize time away from work, whereas prolonged rest can prolong disability.