(OBQ18.230)
A 48-year-old woman with a history of chronic low back pain, narcotic dependence for 2 years, and recent IV drug abuse presents to the emergency room with worsening low back pain. She denies fever and chills, pain in her neck, or pain in her lower extremities. Physical exam shows normal strength, a negative Hoffman sign, 2+ patellar reflexes, and flexion of the 1st toes with a Babinski exam. Laboratory studies show a WBC of 12,000, a CRP of 3 mg/L, and an ESR of 13 mm/h. Plain radiographs are obtained and depicted in Figures A and B. What is the most appropriate next step in management?
QID:
213126