What kind of physical exam did your spine doc perform?

  • Thread starter Thread starter icenet
  • Start date Start date
I

icenet

Guest
I'm amazed at what a simple physical exam I received from my spine doc. Here it is, "Ok stand up and try to touch your toes (good), stand on your heels (good), stand on your toes (good). Sit down and try to extend your legs while I resist (good)."

"Ok, you don't need surgery." What kind of physical exam do other spine docs perform? Are they all this simple?

Thanks!!!!
 
icenet
Did you have an mri for the dr to look at? did you have pain anywhere? Nurabness, tingling? The touch your toes tests your flexibility and if you have disc issues may get nerve pain when you bend. The stand on you toes and heals tests the muscle strength which can be weakened by a pinched nerve or muscle in your back. I had a foot drop before one of my surgeries, I could not walk on my toes or heels or lift my toes up against gravity. If you are sitting and extend your legs your back is in a stressed position and may send a shooting pain down your leg up your back or butt. These are standard tests. During several of my visits to doctors at different times I have failed these tests due to a herniated disc in my lurabar region.
Hope this helps
Laurie
 
Hi Laurie,

Thanks, that was very helpful. I had a L5/S1 herniation about 6 years ago. My recent MRI show loss of disc height. I have no pain down my leg. My pain is only in my back. One of my docs wanted to do fusion but I knew I needed a 2nd opinion. I was just wanted to see if other docs do a different exam. No surgery for me at the moment.
 
Back
Top