Physical examination in Spine care

An appropriate physical examination preceded by a patient history should lead to a differential diagnosis in patients with spinal pain or neurologic symptoms. The physical examination is needed to determine the presence and severity of neurologic impairment. Every initial examination should establish the presence or absence of an upper or lower motor neuron lesion by assessing gait, balance, strength, sensation, and reflexes. For the patient with spinal pain, provocative testing of joints, neural tissue, and soft tissue can aid in the localization of a pain generator.