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Radiculopathy Diagnosis
http://www.painsweb.com/articles/357/1/Radiculopathy-Diagnosis/Page1.html
By Sam Carson
Published on 12/31/2006
 
It is estimated that over 85% of people will be affected by lower back pain at one time or another.  Leg pain is sometimes associated with the back pain so it can make the diagnosis easier. One of those disorders is called lumbar Radiculopathy which means pain in the lower part of the body such as the back and the legs. The pain can be so severe that it can be downright debilitating and can also slow down daily activities. When you are experiencing back pain and you can’t relieve the pain even with an over the counter mediation, it is time to go see a doctor. After you describe the pain, they are going to want to do a physical exam.
Radiculopathy Diagnosis
It is estimated that over 85% of people will be affected by lower back pain at one time or another.  Leg pain is sometimes associated with the back pain so it can make the diagnosis easier. One of those disorders is called lumbar Radiculopathy which means pain in the lower part of the body such as the back and the legs. The pain can be so severe that it can be downright debilitating and can also slow down daily activities. When you are experiencing back pain and you can’t relieve the pain even with an over the counter mediation, it is time to go see a doctor. After you describe the pain, they are going to want to do a physical exam.

This exam will include them asking you to stand, walk or lie down. The part when you lie down the doctor will help you raise each leg one at a time. This will determine flexibility and the strength that is in your leg and back.

After they examine the spine and the back they may find may reasons why the pain is happening. Some reasons may include a decreased hip flexor, decreased patellar reflex, weakness in the quad muscles. They may also be sensory loss of the lateral or medial foot.

Other reasons maybe that there is a sensory loss in the big toe; you may experience pain down the side of the leg of the hip abductors. You may also get a decreased Achilles reflex; you may experience weakness in the gluteus maximus, the big toe and sensory loss of the lateral foot and the small toe. There may be pain in the back of the leg that extends down into the foot.

Other tests may be needed to determine more closely the symptoms, X rays and MRI’s are the only way to do that. Once you get a better understanding what this condition does and how it works, you will be able to get the proper treatment. Taking care of your self and staying with the treatment will be your only way to stay healthy and keep this condition under control.

For additional information and resources on Chronic Pain, visit PainsWeb.com. The author Sam Carson is a chronic pain patient and publisher of PainsWeb.com. His website specializes in conveying targeted information about all types of Chronic Pain and helps you find associated information, patient resources and forums etc to manage your pain. Authors can submit quality original articles to PainsWeb.com and get a back link to their site.