A32-year-old warehouse worker presents for evaluation of low back pain. he notes a sudden onset of pain after lifting a set of boxes that were heavier than usual. he also states that he has numbness and tingling in the left leg. he wants to know if he needs to be off of work. what test should you perform to assess for a herniated disc

Physical Examinations

Explanation:

Vital signs check: To rule out an infection with is indicative by an increase in temperature and to ensure that the pain is not resulting from an increase in pulse rate or blood pressure.

Neurological check: the leg and foot is assessed to look for signs of loss of sensation; numbness and weakness. The patient is asked to walk normally and on tiptoes to check for a foot drop. Footdrop is a condition that occurs when the muscles used to flex the ankles and toes are weakened.

Lasegue test or Leg raise test: in carrying out this test, the patient is asked to lie on the back, the doctor raises the affected leg gently until pain is felt, pain occurring when the leg is raised at a angle between 30-70 degrees is suggestive as a sign of lumbar disc herniation, and if upon raising the unaffected leg the affected leg hurts, this is indicates that a nerve root (the nerve roots of the lumbar spine is located at the bottom of the cord like a horse tail) is badly affected or irritated.

Lumbar spine area exam: The lumbar spine is examined for the presence of an inflammation, this is noticed when the skin appear abnormal or is sensitive to touch.

If the signs presented are confirmed and the assessment of the pain is severe, an Imaging test may be necessary to rule out other possible causes of the patient's symptoms.