LAB TESTS

Why are Lab Tests Conducted?

Lab tests help to identify causes of back or neck pain. Many times, the causes of back and neck pain occur because of problems that are not associated with the spine.  For instance, the actual problem causing pain to the back or neck can sometimes result from kidney trouble or problems in the abdomen. Also, back and neck pain can also be caused by diseases that eventually spread to affect the spine, such as cancer or infection. Therefore, the results of lab tests can help doctors determine the cause of such problems and what treatments to use.

Conducting Tests

The method of gathering and analyzing fluid samples depends on the type of test ordered by your doctor.  When doctors request a blood sample, a trained clinician uses a needle to draw the sample.

In order to check for an infection, a throat culture can be used.  In this case, a technician or nurse gathers a sample of cells from the throat.  A cotton swab collects cells from the back of the throat and then they are examinesd in the lab.

For another test, a patient supplies a sample of stool or urine using a sanitary container. For all testing, lab professionals take extra care to document information about the patient, the doctor, and the nature of the test. After analyzing the samples in the lab, the technician writes a report. Then doctors will compare lab results to a “reference range,” which provides a range of scores recorded from testing a large number of people of the same sex and age.

Lab Tests Limitations

Finally, lab tests do not identify wear, tear, and degeneration of the spine or a problem such as a ruptured disc. To make accurate diagnoses, doctors must rely on your history, a physical examination, and radiology scans to look for these problems.

Lab Test Risks?

In conclusion, most lab tests have minimal risks associated with them.