Care Plan          

Algorithm < 4 weeks - Initial Care - Diagnostic Reevaluation

The decision about when to ask the patient to return depends to a large degree upon the patient's symptoms and psychosocial situation.

It is reasonable to suggest that the patient return to your office after symptoms have persisted (with or without conservative treatment) for four to six weeks.

If, however, there is an indication of neurologic involvement, or if a patient is anxious or requires counseling, you may suggest he or she call or return earlier (and perhaps more than once) than four weeks.