Disc Herniation (Page 2)
The Medical Diagnosis
A physician’s medical diagnosis (also called “clinical diagnosis”) focuses on determining the cause of a patient’s pain. For this reason, the medical diagnosis of a patient’s low back pain, leg pain, or other symptoms is based on more than just the findings from a diagnostic test, such as an MRI scan or CT scan. Instead, the spine care professional arrives at a clinical diagnosis of the cause of the patient’s pain through a combination of a review of the patient’s medical history, a complete physical exam, and, if appropriate, the results of one or more diagnostic tests.
- Medical history. The physician will take the patient’s medical history, such as a description of when the low back pain, sciatica or other symptoms occur, a description of how the pain feels, and what activities, positions or treatments make the pain feel better, and more.
- Physical exam. The physician will conduct a thorough physical exam of the patient, such as testing nerve function and muscle strength in certain parts of the leg or arm, testing for pain in certain positions, and more. Usually, this series of physical tests will give the doctor a good idea of what the back problem or neck problem is.
- Diagnostic tests. After the physician has formed an opinion on the cause of the patient’s pain, a diagnostic test, such as a CT scan or an MRI scan, is often ordered to confirm the problem. The tests can give important information, such as the location of the herniated disc and impinged nerve roots.
