Diagnosing lower back pain

In everything we do in life, identifying the problem is the first step before doing anything else and the same goes for the complications of the lower back because you must first understand the symptoms and to identify the causes of lower back pain and treat it.
After taking a detailed history of the patient, the doctor and it was determined the possible causes of pain through an examination of the physical core.

An excellent example of test to analyze the situation of the spinal column of a patient during a medical exam test is the increase of the right leg. With the patient supine (face up), the doctor ankle trying to keep the right knee, lift your leg to discover the range of flexion of the hip joint. There is compression of the nerve root when pain is experienced in the other leg, also known as contralateral radiation.

Other tests that can help determine if a patient has a pinched nerve in disinfection and pressing in the politely Ossa, where the tibial nerve while straightening the knee flexed. Lumbar hernia can also be found in the application of these tests. Unless the symptoms are existing imaging studies such as X-rays and CT scans are not used to low acute low back pain. A doctor can easily discover the causes for the use of which are recommended for patients with chronic pain imaging techniques.

For patients with low back pain, the following diagnostic tests are some of today's most regularly employed in the medical community ...

Conventional radiography

For conditions of low back pain that has not improved or worsened after 30 days this type of test is most appropriate. X-rays are available for patients who have suffered major trauma, patients 50 years and older who had a mild concussion, people with osteoporosis and those with a history of implementation of steroids long term. X-rays can detect bone deformities (such as scoliosis), bone fractures and bone changes due to age.

Melodrama

Relatively comparable to X-ray film, heliography involves the injection of a radio dye into the medullar canal of the patient. This test is done with a TC if the surgical procedure is provided in the patient.

CT scan

Although it is not a good idea for acute cases, patients with symptoms of pain in the lower back that are indicative of the spinal canal or bone infection, fracture, tumor, or syndrome of the caudal equine should undergo a CT scan.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Recommended for the same diseases in CT. There were not conclusive when it comes to the application of this test for herniated disc. Nearly 20% of rupture disc revealed during the surgical treatment were not detected by MRI performed in an investigation. In 40% of cases, patients with MRI evidence of back pain showed bulging disc.

Bone density

This test can detect weakness and osteoporosis in the vertebrae. Although back pain is not a sign of osteoporosis, bone cracks resulting from this condition manifest by pain.

The electromyography (EMG)

The electrical activity in the muscles of the affected areas can be controlled by inserting tiny needles beautiful in them. The EMG test will help determine the level of damage to the nerve root and it will help your doctor distinguish muscle disease and disease of the nerve root in cases of chronic back pain.

The lower back pain causes can be identified quickly, the application of these imaging strategies for the physician.

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