A thorough medical history and physical exam can usually provide diagnosis of lower back pain along with any dangerous conditions that may be associated with the pain.
Your doctor will examine the back and conduct tests to determine the cause of pain and appropriate treatment. Imaging tests are usually necessary to diagnose spinal tumors or other possible sources of the pain.
Imaging techniques used to diagnose the cause of LBP can include:
- X-ray
- discography - injection of contract dye
- CT scan
- MRI
- electrodiagnostics - including EMG and Evoked Potentials
- bone scans
- ultrasound