Every patient is different, and each diagnostic process will be unique, too. Your provider might use a combination of techniques to determine your diagnosis.
If you are having muscle pain that might be related to neurogenic claudication, your provider will perform a thorough exam and other tests to make a diagnosis.
A spine specialist may ask you several questions about the pain you are having. The questions might include how you experience discomfort, when it occurs and when it stops, and where it is felt. Your answers can help your provider make an accurate diagnosis.
During your first office visit, your healthcare provider will spend time with you and learn about your symptoms and overall health. They will:
- Conduct a physical exam
- Discuss your medical history and your current health conditions
- Listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope
- Check your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen level
An MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scan is a type of noninvasive image created using magnets to create a radiofrequency current that passes through your body and produces images of soft tissues. Using MRI, doctors can see abnormalities such as aneurysms and muscle or ligament injuries. MRI does not expose you to radiation.
MRI can be particularly helpful in diagnosing neurogenic claudication because it provides detailed images of soft tissues in the body. In cases where MRI can’t be used, such as for patients with metal implants, myelography can be used instead.
A myelogram is a form of X-ray that provides imaging of your spinal cord and nerve roots. Your doctor may use a myelogram to obtain detailed information about conditions such as a herniated disk or spinal stenosis. During a myelogram, a technologist will give you a local anesthetic before injecting contrast material into your spinal canal.
A CT, or computed tomography, scan is a type of image created from multiple X-ray images taken by a scanner that rotates around your body. These X-rays are combined by a computer to show organs and soft tissues. A CT scan can help identify conditions such as bleeding, infections and tumors.