Back Injury Diagnosis

A comprehensive medical history and physical exam analysis will typically discover preexisting conditions or family traits related to back pain. As part of this study, the doctor requests that the patient explain:

The circumstances surrounding the inception of the pain.
The location and severity of pain.
How long they've experienced side effects and restrictive movement.
History of prior occurrences of back pain or medical conditions related to the pain.

The doctor will conduct a back examination and neurologic tests to identify the origin of pain and the proper treatment. Blood tests may be administered as well. Imaging tests might also be required to detect tumors or additional sources of pain. There is an array of diagnostic procedures that will pinpoint the root of back pain:

X-ray imaging - consists of conventional and enhanced techniques that will assist in the diagnosis of the cause and locating the central area of the pain. A conventional x-ray, which is usually the initial imaging technique utilized, scans for broken bones or damaged vertebrae. An x-ray technician beams a form of concentrated radiation into the back and snaps photographs. In mere minutes, pictures develop showing the bony structure of the spinal column along with fractures or alignment problems of the vertebrae. Conventional x-rays do not display tissue mass like damaged muscles and ligaments or other agonizing conditions like bulging discs. This quick, noninvasive, harmless routine can be carried out at a doctor's office or health clinic.
Discography - spinal disc assumed to be the source of pain is injected with dye. Then, an x-ray is performed, and the dye highlights the injured regions of the disc. Discography is normally recommended for patients thinking about undergoing lumbar surgery or who cannot rid themselves of pain using conventional treatment methods. A myelogram is another form of diagnostic imaging where dye is introduced into the spinal canal. The dye makes it possible for fractures or spinal cord and nerve compression caused by herniated discs to be visualized through an x-ray.
Computerized tomography (CT) - a fast and pain-free procedure used to determine if lower back pain is the result of a ruptured disc, spinal stenosis, or vertebrae damage. The body is subjected to x-rays at various angles of entry after which a computer manufactures two-dimensional images of the internal configuration of the back. This test is usually performed at an imaging center or hospital.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - used to assess the extent of bone deterioration or injury or disease to tissue, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and blood vessels. MRI scanning machinery generates a magnetic field that encompasses the body and is powerful enough to momentarily alter the formation of water molecules inside the tissue. Next, radio waves are blasted through the body to establish how the molecules relax and return to random alignment; the waves are analyzed based on the angles of resonance inside the body. A computer interprets this reverberation as a three-dimensional illustration or a two-dimensional "slice" of the tissue being scanned. As it dissects these signals, the computer is able to make a distinction between bone, soft tissue, and areas filled with fluid based on water content and structural makeup. This noninvasive course of action is typically used to classify a serious issue that necessitates immediate surgery.
Electrodiagnostic procedures - comprised of electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction exams, and evoked potential (EP) analysis. EMG takes a reading that determines the electrical activity in a nerve and has the ability to establish whether loss of strength can be attributed to a spinal cord injury or some other problem associated with the nerves responsible for controlling a particular group of muscles. During this procedure, threadlike needles are used to puncture the muscles and measure electric currents sent from the brain or spinal cord to a certain section of the body. In a nerve conduction exam, the physician places two sets of electrodes on the skin over the muscles. One set of electrodes slightly shocks the patient to stimulate the nerve running to a specific muscle. The other set of electrodes records the electrical signals being emitted from the nerve, and the doctor can figure out if there is nerve damage based on this data. Two groups of electrodes are also used in an EP analysis; the first is used to stimulate a sensory nerve, while the second is situated on the scalp to record the rate of nerve signals being transmitted to the brain.
Bone scan - used to diagnose and observe infections, fractures, or disorders of the bone. In this procedure, a minuscule amount of radioactive is blended with the blood and targets the bones, especially areas of irregularity. Images are then formulated by a scanner and sent to a computer that identifies places of abnormal bone metabolism or blood flow and calculates various grades of joint disease.
Thermography - uses infrared sensors to gauge minor temperature changes from one part of the body to another or the temperature of an organ. Thermography may also be utilized to measure nerve root compression.
Ultrasound imaging (ultrasound scanning, sonography) - bounces high-frequency sound waves off the body to create images based on the resulting echoes. Ultrasound imaging has the ability to pick up torn ligaments, muscles, tendons, and other areas composed of soft tissue.