DIAGNOSING SPINE PROBLEMS

When diagnosing a spine problem for new patients, your doctor will require some medical history and a physical examination. Furthermore, this process will help the doctor determine the cause of your back pain. In addition, it will identify any other pain that may be associated with your condition.

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Spine Diagnosis Procedures

Before your doctor can diagnose your condition and design a treatment plan, a complete history and physical exam are necessary. By following a proven process, your doctor will determine the cause of your condition. Also, diagnosing Spine Problems includes the following techniques:

Complete History

Medical History Your Spine Specialist will want to get a history of your condition. Initially, you may fill out a written form while you wait to see the doctor. Meanwhile, take time to think about everything that relates to your pain and write it down. When you share more information with your doctor, the easier the doctor will diagnose your problem. In addition, a physical history can give your doctor insight into when the pain began, anything that could have caused an injury, your lifestyle, physical factors that might cause pain, and any family history of similar problems.

After reading through your written history, your physician will ask more questions that relate to the information you have given. Moreover, your doctor may want to know:

If you have had an injury

where you are feeling pain and how intense it is
if the pain radiates to other parts of your body
if and where you are feeling numbness or weakness
what factors make the pain feel better or worse
whether you have had this problem or something like it before
about any recent weight loss, fever, or illness
if you’ve had problems with your bladder or bowels

Physical Exam

Knee jerk reaction test After taking your history, your physician will give you a physical exam. However, this allows the doctor to rule out possible causes of pain and try to determine the source of your problem. Thus, the areas of your body that the doctor will examine will depend upon where you are experiencing pain — neck, lower back, arms, legs, etc.

The motion of Your Spine – Is there pain when you twist, bend, or move? If so, where? In addition, your doctor will ask if you have lost some flexibility.
Weakness -The doctors will conduct tests on the patient’s muscles to determine strength. Your doctor might ask for you to try to push or lift your arm, hand, or leg when light resistance is put against them.
Pain – The doctor may try to determine if you have tenderness in certain areas.
Sensory Changes – Can you feel certain sensations in specific areas of the feet or hands?
Reflex Changes – Your tendon reflexes might undergo testing, such as below the kneecap and behind the ankle in the Achilles tendon.
Motor Skills – The doctor might ask the patient to walk on their heels or toes.
Special Signs – Your doctor will also check for any “red flags” that could indicate something other than spinal/vertebrae problems. Also, some signs of other problems include tenderness in certain areas, a fever, an abnormal pulse, chronic steroid use (which leads to loss of bone mass), or rapid weight loss.

Questions and Answers

What diagnostic tests are used to diagnose Spine Problems

To diagnose spine problems, healthcare professionals may utilize various diagnostic tests and imaging studies, including:

X-rays: X-rays provide a basic visualization of the bones in the spine and can help identify fractures, bone abnormalities, or alignment issues.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to generate detailed images of the spine’s soft tissues, such as discs, nerves, and ligaments. It can help diagnose conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or spinal tumors.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: CT scans use X-ray technology to create cross-sectional images of the spine. They provide detailed information about bone structures and can help assess fractures, spinal deformities, or spinal infections.
Electromyography (EMG): EMG involves measuring electrical activity in muscles and nerves. It can help evaluate nerve function and identify conditions such as radiculopathy or peripheral neuropathy.
Discography: Discography is a diagnostic procedure where contrast dye is injected into a spinal disc to assess its condition and identify the source of pain.
Bone Scan: A bone scan involves injecting a small amount of radioactive material into the bloodstream, which helps identify areas of abnormal bone activity and detect conditions such as infections, fractures, or tumors.

When should I consider seeing a doctor for a Spine Problem

It is advisable to seek medical evaluation for spine problems if you experience persistent or worsening symptoms, including:

Chronic or severe back or neck pain
Radiating pain or numbness in the arms, legs, or buttocks
Loss of sensation or weakness in the extremities
Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
Bowel or bladder dysfunction
Traumatic injury to the spine
Progressive or worsening symptoms over time

What does the diagnostic process involve for Spine Problems

The diagnostic process for spine problems typically includes:

Medical history assessment: The healthcare professional will inquire about your symptoms, their duration, any triggering events, and your medical history.
Physical examination: The doctor will conduct a physical examination, assessing your range of motion, muscle strength, reflexes, and any signs of spinal abnormalities.
Imaging tests: Depending on the suspected condition, the healthcare professional may order X-rays, MRI, CT scans, or other specialized imaging studies to visualize the spine’s structures and identify any abnormalities.
Additional tests: In some cases, additional tests such as EMG, bone scans, or blood tests may be recommended to further evaluate the spine problem.

Diagnostic Tests

After completing the history and physical examination, your doctors will conduct diagnostic tests in order for them to find the genesis of your condition. The tests include the following:

Bone Scan: A bone scan detects areas of increased bone metabolism or damage. It involves injecting a small amount of radioactive material that highlights areas of abnormal bone growth or fractures, often used to detect tumors, infections, or bone conditions.
CT Scan (Computed Tomography): A CT scan provides detailed cross-sectional images of the spine using X-rays. It’s often used to assess bone problems, herniated discs, or spinal stenosis, offering more detail than a regular X-ray.
Discogram: A discogram involves injecting contrast dye into the spinal discs under X-ray guidance to assess disc health. It helps pinpoint damaged discs causing back pain, especially before considering surgery.
EMG (Electromyography): EMG tests the electrical activity of muscles and nerves. It is used to diagnose nerve damage or dysfunction, often helpful in assessing nerve compression due to conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis.
Facet Joint Block: This test involves injecting an anesthetic into the facet joints in the spine to determine if they are the source of pain. If the injection relieves pain, it confirms the joint is the problem.
Lab Test: Lab tests for spine issues may include blood work to detect infections, inflammation (such as in cases of arthritis), or other systemic conditions affecting the spine, such as osteoporosis or cancer.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): An MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of soft tissues, including discs, nerves, and spinal cord. It’s often used to detect herniated discs, spinal tumors, and other soft-tissue-related conditions.
Myelogram: A myelogram involves injecting contrast dye into the spinal canal followed by X-ray or CT scan. It’s used to evaluate the spinal cord and nerve roots, helping diagnose herniated discs, tumors, or spinal stenosis.
Spinal Tap (Lumbar Puncture): A spinal tap involves extracting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the lower spine to test for infections. It also tests for inflammatory diseases, or bleeding in the brain or spinal cord, such as in cases of meningitis or multiple sclerosis.
SSEP (Somatosensory Evoked Potentials): This test measures electrical signals in response to stimuli to assess nerve pathway integrity in the spinal cord. It’s used to evaluate the functioning of the spinal cord and nerves, particularly after trauma or surgery.
X-ray: X-rays use radiation to create images of bones and can reveal fractures, deformities, or misalignments in the spine. They are often the first imaging test used to evaluate back pain, although they are less effective at showing soft tissue problems.

Diagnosing Spine Conditions at the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute

The Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute is a leading provider of spine care in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The institute’s doctors are board-certified and fellowship-trained spine surgeons who have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating a wide range of spine problems.

The institute offers a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation that includes a physical exam, imaging studies, and consultation with a spine surgeon. Also, the evaluation helps the surgeon determine the cause of the patient’s spine problem and develop a personalized treatment plan.

The institute offers a variety of treatment options for spine problems. These include non-surgical treatments, such as physical therapy and bracing. If those treatments do not work, your doctor will recommend surgical treatments, such as spinal fusion and discectomy. Also, the institute’s doctors work with patients to develop a treatment plan that is right for their individual needs.

If you are experiencing spine pain or other spine problems, the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute is a great place to seek a diagnosis and treatment. In conclusion, the institute’s doctors have the expertise and experience to help you get back to living your life pain-free.

Reasons for patients to come to the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute for spine problems:

The institute’s doctors are experts in diagnosing and treating a wide range of spine problems.
The institute offers a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation that helps to determine the cause of the patient’s spine problem.
The institute offers a variety of treatment options, including non-surgical and surgical treatments.
The institute’s doctors work with patients to develop a treatment plan that is right for their individual needs.
The Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute has offices in Dallas, Plano, and Frisco, Texas

If you are experiencing spine pain or other spine problems, the is a great place to seek a diagnosis and treatment. The institute’s doctors have the expertise and experience to help you get back to living your life pain-free.

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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Diagnosing Spine Problems

If you or a loved one suffers from spinal pain, you owe it to yourself to call Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute at 214-556-0555 to make an appointment.