Diagnostic Tests

Getting an Accurate Back Pain Diagnosis

Peer-Reviewed Article

Accurate back pain diagnosis relies on thorough assessments, including medical history, physical exams, imaging, and tests.

Physician examining a cervical spine xray

Overview

Patient and doctor reviewing CT images.

Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan

Lumbar disc between L4 and L5.

Lumbar Discogram Procedure

Physician examining a cervical spine xray

Getting an Accurate Back Pain Diagnosis

Doctor standing in front of a board of CT scans.

Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan with Myelogram

Doctor examining an X-ray of a patient's spine.

X-Ray of the Spine

Closeup view of facet joint osteoarthritis

Commonly Confused Terms In Diagnosing Spinal Pain

MRI Scan of the cervical spine

MRI Scan of the Spine

Spinal Cord Stimulator placement showing controller, leads and generator.

Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP)

MRI scan of the lumbar spine.

Indications and Contraindications for an MRI Scan

Anterior view of the lumbar spine with a needle being injected into the disc space.

Potential Side Effects and Risks of Discogram

Electromyography of the forearm.

Electromyography (EMG)

Lumbar disc between L4 and L5.

Lumbar Discography for Back Pain Diagnosis

Doctors examining x-rays scans.

Introduction to Diagnostic Studies for Back and Neck Pain