WHEN TO SEE A SPINE SPECIALIST

You should seek the advice of a spine specialist if neck or back pain persists for more than two weeks or if it is progressive in intensity and/or distribution. You should seek immediate healthcare attention if neck or back pain occurs as the result of an injury or if it is associated with serious illness and/or a high fever. Additional signs and symptoms which warrant prompt medical attention include:

• Neck or back pain associated with bowel and/or bladder dysfunction
• Neck or back pain associated with extremity weakness or difficulty with coordination
• Extremity numbness or muscle weakness
• Neck or back pain that is associated with impaired walking (gait) or difficulty with balance
• Numbness, tingling and/or muscle weakness associated with a back or neck injury

Most people ignore the signs and symptoms of spinal stenosis until they become fairly severe. They believe that the pain, the stiffness and the radiating pain are all consequences of aging or “getting oldâ€?.  If symptoms interfere with activities of daily living (ADLs) they are never to be considered normal. 

SCREENING AND DIAGNOSIS

Spinal stenosis can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms are often intermittent and because they resemble those of many age-related conditions. To help diagnose spinal stenosis and rule out other disorders, your doctor will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam that may include checking your peripheral pulses, range of motion, and leg reflexes.

The doctor may use a variety of approaches to diagnose spinal stenosis and rule out other conditions.

• Medical history—the patient tells the doctor details about symptoms and about any injury, condition, or general health problem that might be causing the symptoms.