Diagnostic
To help determine the exact cause of your pain, there are several diagnostic tests that can be performed by a specialized pain physician. These may include plain x-rays, MRI, CT Scan and/or electromyography (EMG). An X-ray shows the alignment of the bones in your spine and will determine whether you have any broken or arthritic bones that may be causing back pain. MRI and CT Scan tests show images of bone, muscle, tissue, nerves, blood vessels, tendons and ligaments. These tests can show disc herniation, muscle tears, ligament problems and can help your pain specialist understand the true nature of your pain. Electromyography (EMG) is a test used to study nerve and muscle function. The interventional pain specialist may use minimally-invasive image-guided procedures to help identify the physical generators of your pain.
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