Lumbar Stenosis (cont.)
How is lumbar spinal stenosis diagnosed?
The patient's physician will start with a complete medical history and physical
examination. During the medical history the patient will be asked questions regarding
symptoms including how long they have been present, what make it better or
worse, what prior treatment the patient has had, and what other medical conditions
they
have. These questions can help the doctor distinguish lumbar spinal stenosis from
other disorders.
The physical examination can consist of testing the range of motion in the
back and feeling for areas of tenderness in the back. The legs may be examined
for range of motion, strength, sensation, reflexes, and pulses. The hips and
knees may also be examined because problems with these joints can often causes
symptoms similar to lumbar spinal stenosis.
After the examination the physician may order imaging studies. This often
begins with plain x-rays of the back. The doctors may also order an x-ray of the
patient's hips
depending on findings from the physical examination. The x-rays can show the
doctor various signs associated with spinal stenosis including loss of the
normal intervertebral disc height, bone spurs (osteophytes), and spinal
instability (abnormal motion between the vertebrae. The ultimate diagnosis of
lumbar spinal stenosis is made with by
MRI scan (magnetic resonance
imagining scan) or CT scan. These are more
advanced tests that show the nerves in the lower back and can show if they are
being compressed from lumbar spinal stenosis.
In some cases special nerve tests including
electromyogram (EMG) or nerve conduction studies
may be ordered. These tests can identify damage to or irritation of the nerves
caused by long-term compression from lumbar spinal stenosis. These tests can also help
determine exactly which nerves are involved.
Next: What is the treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis? »
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