How Spine Surgeons figure out whats causing your back pain!

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Spine surgeons use a combination of methods to diagnose the cause of a patient’s back pain:

1. **Medical History**: They start by taking a detailed medical history, asking about the onset, duration, and nature of the pain, as well as any associated symptoms, previous injuries, surgeries, or medical conditions.

2. **Physical Examination**: This involves assessing the patient’s posture, range of motion, and neurological function. Surgeons check for tenderness, muscle strength, reflexes, and any signs of nerve involvement like numbness or tingling.

3. **Imaging Studies**:
- **X-rays**: Provide images of the bones and can reveal fractures, alignment issues, and degenerative changes.
- **MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)**: Offers detailed images of soft tissues, including discs, nerves, and spinal cord, and is useful for detecting herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and other soft tissue abnormalities.
- **CT (Computed Tomography) Scans**: Offer detailed images of bone structures and can be useful for detecting fractures and bone disorders.
- **Bone Scans**: Can help detect infections, tumors, or other bone disorders.

4. **Electrodiagnostic Tests**:
- **EMG (Electromyography)** and **Nerve Conduction Studies**: Assess the electrical activity of muscles and the speed of nerve signals, helping to identify nerve compression or damage.

5. **Laboratory Tests**: Blood tests can help detect infections, inflammatory conditions, or metabolic disorders that might contribute to back pain.

6. **Diagnostic Injections**: These include nerve blocks or facet joint injections. If pain relief is achieved after an injection, it helps localize the source of pain to a specific area.

By combining these methods, spine surgeons can develop a comprehensive understanding of the underlying cause of a patient’s back pain and formulate an appropriate treatment plan.

To see Dr Webb as a patient, please contact:
Antonio J. Webb, MD
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
South Texas Spinal Clinic
9150 Huebner Road Suite 290
San Antonio, Texas 78240
Office: 210-614-6432
Fax: 210-293-4171

Learn about Dr. Webb's foundation

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website. Never rely on information on this website in place of seeking professional medical advice.