Back pain physical examination: Difference between revisions

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==Overview==
==Overview==
[[Patients]] with [[back]] [[pain]] have variable presentation depending on the severity of [[pain]] and associated [[signs]] and [[symptoms]].  
[[Patients]] with [[back]] [[pain]] have variable presentation depending on the severity of [[pain]] and associated [[signs]] and [[symptoms]]. If [[fever]] is present then [[infectious]] cause should be investigated. [[Signs]] of [[trauma]] should be observed, including, [[contusions]], [[abrasions]], point tenderness. Restricted range of motion and muscular tenderness are observed in [[patients]] with [[lumbosacral]] [[muscle]] strains/[[sprains]]. [[Pain]] on extension and rotation of [[hips]] may be present in [[patients]] with [[lumbar spondylosis]] along with [[pain]] radiating to [[hips]]. [[Point tenderness]] can be seen in [[patients]] with vertebral compression [[fracture]]. [Genitourinary]] [[examination]] of [[patients]] with [[back]] [[pain]] is usually normal. However, if any [[abnormality]] is recognized further investigation must be done to rule-out a more serious condition. [[Paresthesia]], [[sensory]] deficit, decreased [[muscular]] strength or diminished reflexes may be observed in [[patients]] with herniated disc. [[Straight leg raise]] (SLR) should be done to investigate for [[lumbar disk herniation]]. [[Motor deficit]] in [[legs]] and [[sensory loss]] is also seen in [[patients]] with [[spinal stenosis]]. One leg hyperextension test looks for [[pars interarticularis defect]] as a cause of [[back]] [[pain]].


==Physical Examination==
==Physical Examination==
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===Skin===
===Skin===
* Skin examination of patients with [disease name] is usually normal.
* [[Skin]] [[examination]] of [[patients]] with [[back]] [[pain]] is usually normal.
OR
* [[Signs]] of [[trauma]] should be observed, including, [[contusions]], [[abrasions]], point tenderness.
*[[Cyanosis]]  
*[[Jaundice]]
* [[Pallor]]
* Bruises
 
<gallery widths="150px">
 
UploadedImage-01.jpg | Description {{dermref}}
UploadedImage-02.jpg | Description {{dermref}}
 
</gallery>


===HEENT===
===HEENT===
* HEENT examination of patients with [disease name] is usually normal.
* HEENT [[examination]] of [[patients]] with [[back]] [[pain]] is usually normal.
OR
* Abnormalities of the head/hair may include ___
* Evidence of trauma
* Icteric sclera
* [[Nystagmus]]  
* Extra-ocular movements may be abnormal
*Pupils non-reactive to light / non-reactive to accommodation / non-reactive to neither light nor accommodation
*Ophthalmoscopic exam may be abnormal with findings of ___
* Hearing acuity may be reduced
*[[Weber test]] may be abnormal (Note: A positive Weber test is considered a normal finding / A negative Weber test is considered an abnormal finding. To avoid confusion, you may write "abnormal Weber test".)
*[[Rinne test]] may be positive (Note: A positive Rinne test is considered a normal finding / A negative Rinne test is considered an abnormal finding. To avoid confusion, you may write "abnormal Rinne test".)
* [[Exudate]] from the ear canal
* Tenderness upon palpation of the ear pinnae/tragus (anterior to ear canal)
*Inflamed nares / congested nares
* [[Purulent]] exudate from the nares
* Facial tenderness
* Erythematous throat with/without tonsillar swelling, exudates, and/or petechiae


===Neck===
===Neck===
* Neck examination of patients with [disease name] is usually normal.
* [[Neck]] [[examination]] of [[patients]] with [[back]] [[pain]] is usually normal.
OR
*[[Jugular venous distension]]
*[[Carotid bruits]] may be auscultated unilaterally/bilaterally using the bell/diaphragm of the otoscope
*[[Lymphadenopathy]] (describe location, size, tenderness, mobility, and symmetry)
*[[Thyromegaly]] / thyroid nodules
*[[Hepatojugular reflux]]


===Lungs===
===Lungs===
* Pulmonary examination of patients with [disease name] is usually normal.
* [[Pulmonary examination]] of [[patients]] with [[back]] [[pain]] is usually normal.
OR
* Asymmetric chest expansion OR decreased chest expansion
*Lungs are hyporesonant OR hyperresonant
*Fine/coarse [[crackles]] upon auscultation of the lung bases/apices unilaterally/bilaterally
*Rhonchi
*Vesicular breath sounds OR distant breath sounds
*Expiratory wheezing OR inspiratory wheezing with normal OR delayed expiratory phase
*[[Wheezing]] may be present
*[[Egophony]] present/absent
*[[Bronchophony]] present/absent
*Normal/reduced [[tactile fremitus]]


===Heart===
===Heart===
* Cardiovascular examination of patients with [disease name] is usually normal.
* [[Cardiovascular]] [[examination]] of [[patients]] with [[back]] [[pain]] is usually normal.
OR
*Chest tenderness upon palpation
*PMI within 2 cm of the sternum  (PMI) / Displaced point of maximal impulse (PMI) suggestive of ____
*[[Heave]] / [[thrill]]
*[[Friction rub]]
*[[Heart sounds#First heart tone S1, the "lub"(components M1 and T1)|S1]]
*[[Heart sounds#Second heart tone S2 the "dub"(components A2 and P2)|S2]]
*[[Heart sounds#Third heart sound S3|S3]]
*[[Heart sounds#Fourth heart sound S4|S4]]
*[[Heart sounds#Summation Gallop|Gallops]]
*A high/low grade early/late [[systolic murmur]] / [[diastolic murmur]] best heard at the base/apex/(specific valve region) may be heard using the bell/diaphgram of the stethoscope


===Abdomen===
===Abdomen===
* Abdominal examination of patients with [disease name] is usually normal.
*[[Abdominal examination]] of patients with [[back]] [[pain]] is usually normal.
OR
*[[Abdominal distension]]  
*[[Abdominal tenderness]] in the right/left upper/lower abdominal quadrant
*[[Rebound tenderness]] (positive Blumberg sign)
*A palpable abdominal mass in the right/left upper/lower abdominal quadrant
*Guarding may be present
*[[Hepatomegaly]] / [[splenomegaly]] / [[hepatosplenomegaly]]
*Additional findings, such as obturator test, psoas test, McBurney point test, Murphy test


===Back===
===Back===
* Back examination of patients with [disease name] is usually normal.
*Restricted range of motion and [[muscular]] tenderness are observed in [[patients]] with [[lumbosacral]] [[muscle]] strains/[[sprains]].<ref name="CasserSeddigh2016">{{cite journal|last1=Casser|first1=Hans-Raimund|last2=Seddigh|first2=Susann|last3=Rauschmann|first3=Michael|title=Acute Lumbar Back Pain: Investigation, Differential Diagnosis, and Treatment|journal=Deutsches Aerzteblatt Online|year=2016|issn=1866-0452|doi=10.3238/arztebl.2016.0223}}</ref>
OR
*[[Pain]] on extension and rotation of [[hips]] may be present in [[patients]] with [[lumbar spondylosis]] along with [[pain]] radiating to [[hips]].<ref name="MiddletonFish2009">{{cite journal|last1=Middleton|first1=Kimberley|last2=Fish|first2=David E.|title=Lumbar spondylosis: clinical presentation and treatment approaches|journal=Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine|volume=2|issue=2|year=2009|pages=94–104|issn=1935-973X|doi=10.1007/s12178-009-9051-x}}</ref>
*Point tenderness over __ vertebrae (e.g. L3-L4)
*[[Point tenderness]] can be seen in [[patients]] with vertebral compression [[fracture]].
*Sacral edema
*Costovertebral angle tenderness bilaterally/unilaterally
*Buffalo hump


===Genitourinary===
===Genitourinary===
* Genitourinary examination of patients with [disease name] is usually normal.
* [[Genitourinary]] [[examination]] of [[patients]] with [[back]] [[pain]] is usually normal. However, if any [[abnormality]] is recognized further investigation must be done to rule-out a more serious condition.
OR
*A pelvic/adnexal mass may be palpated
*Inflamed mucosa
*Clear/(color), foul-smelling/odorless penile/vaginal discharge


===Neuromuscular===
===Neuromuscular===
* Neuromuscular examination of patients with [disease name] is usually normal.
*[[Paresthesia]], [[sensory]] deficit, decreased [[muscular]] strength or diminished reflexes may be observed in [[patients]] with herniated disc.
OR
*[[Motor deficit]] in [[legs]] and [[sensory loss]] is also seen in [[patients]] with [[spinal stenosis]].
*Patient is usually oriented to persons, place, and time
* Altered mental status
* Glasgow coma scale is ___ / 15
* Clonus may be present
* Hyperreflexia / hyporeflexia / areflexia
* Positive (abnormal) Babinski / plantar reflex unilaterally/bilaterally
* Muscle rigidity
* Proximal/distal muscle weakness unilaterally/bilaterally
* ____ (finding) suggestive of cranial nerve ___ (roman numerical) deficit (e.g. Dilated pupils suggestive of CN III deficit)
*Unilateral/bilateral upper/lower extremity weakness
*Unilateral/bilateral sensory loss in the upper/lower extremity
*Positive straight leg raise test
*Abnormal gait (describe gait: e.g. ataxic (cerebellar) gait / steppage gait / waddling gait / choeiform gait / Parkinsonian gait / sensory gait)
*Positive/negative Trendelenburg sign
*Unilateral/bilateral tremor (describe tremor, e.g. at rest, pill-rolling)
*Normal finger-to-nose test / Dysmetria
*Absent/present dysdiadochokinesia (palm tapping test)


===Extremities===
===Extremities===
* [[Extremities]] [[examination]]  is usually normal or could show [[signs]] of [[trauma]] if that is the cause of [[back]] [[pain]].
* [[Extremities]] [[examination]]  is usually normal or could show [[signs]] of [[trauma]] if that is the cause of [[back]] [[pain]].
* [[Straight leg raise]] (SLR) should be done to investigate for [[lumbar disk herniation]].<ref name="pmid1386391">{{cite journal| author=Deyo RA, Rainville J, Kent DL| title=What can the history and physical examination tell us about low back pain? | journal=JAMA | year= 1992 | volume= 268 | issue= 6 | pages= 760-5 | pmid=1386391 | doi= | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=1386391  }} </ref>
* [[Straight leg raise]] (SLR) should be done to investigate for [[lumbar disk herniation]].<ref name="pmid1386391">{{cite journal| author=Deyo RA, Rainville J, Kent DL| title=What can the history and physical examination tell us about low back pain? | journal=JAMA | year= 1992 | volume= 268 | issue= 6 | pages= 760-5 | pmid=1386391 | doi= | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=1386391  }} </ref>
*[[One leg hyperextension]] test]]t
* One leg hyperextension test looks for [[pars interarticularis defect]] as a cause of [[back]] [[pain]].<ref name="pmid28795014">{{cite journal| author=Patel DR, Kinsella E| title=Evaluation and management of lower back pain in young athletes. | journal=Transl Pediatr | year= 2017 | volume= 6 | issue= 3 | pages= 225-235 | pmid=28795014 | doi=10.21037/tp.2017.06.01 | pmc=5532202 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=28795014  }} </ref>
*Look for [[signs]] of [[IV]] [[drug]] [[abuse]].


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 05:04, 8 June 2021

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Zehra Malik, M.B.B.S[2]

Overview

Patients with back pain have variable presentation depending on the severity of pain and associated signs and symptoms. If fever is present then infectious cause should be investigated. Signs of trauma should be observed, including, contusions, abrasions, point tenderness. Restricted range of motion and muscular tenderness are observed in patients with lumbosacral muscle strains/sprains. Pain on extension and rotation of hips may be present in patients with lumbar spondylosis along with pain radiating to hips. Point tenderness can be seen in patients with vertebral compression fracture. [Genitourinary]] examination of patients with back pain is usually normal. However, if any abnormality is recognized further investigation must be done to rule-out a more serious condition. Paresthesia, sensory deficit, decreased muscular strength or diminished reflexes may be observed in patients with herniated disc. Straight leg raise (SLR) should be done to investigate for lumbar disk herniation. Motor deficit in legs and sensory loss is also seen in patients with spinal stenosis. One leg hyperextension test looks for pars interarticularis defect as a cause of back pain.

Physical Examination

Physical examination of patients with back pain depends on the underlying etiology and severity.

Appearance of the Patient

Vital Signs

Skin

HEENT

Neck

Lungs

Heart

Abdomen

Back

Genitourinary

Neuromuscular

Extremities

References

  1. Casser, Hans-Raimund; Seddigh, Susann; Rauschmann, Michael (2016). "Acute Lumbar Back Pain: Investigation, Differential Diagnosis, and Treatment". Deutsches Aerzteblatt Online. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0223. ISSN 1866-0452.
  2. Middleton, Kimberley; Fish, David E. (2009). "Lumbar spondylosis: clinical presentation and treatment approaches". Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. 2 (2): 94–104. doi:10.1007/s12178-009-9051-x. ISSN 1935-973X.
  3. Deyo RA, Rainville J, Kent DL (1992). "What can the history and physical examination tell us about low back pain?". JAMA. 268 (6): 760–5. PMID 1386391.
  4. Patel DR, Kinsella E (2017). "Evaluation and management of lower back pain in young athletes". Transl Pediatr. 6 (3): 225–235. doi:10.21037/tp.2017.06.01. PMC 5532202. PMID 28795014.

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