If your back is constantly numb or weak, it might be time to see a professional for medical attention. Preparing adequately for your consultation helps you communicate with your care provider to determine the right treatment. The following are some ways to prepare for your appointment with a back doctor:
Gather Your Medical Records
If you’ve been diagnosed with back-related conditions, such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or arthritis, find all your medical records. You can list all treatments you’ve taken, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. If you tried physical therapy, include the specific exercises and whether they improved your condition. Talk about any previous surgeries like spinal fusion or discectomy and state whether your symptoms improved or worsened afterward. Once you have all these documents, send them to a spine specialist’s office so that the professional reviews them before your visit.
Make a List of Your Symptoms
When preparing for your appointment, listing all your symptoms allows a back doctor to diagnose your condition more accurately. To simplify this process, think back to when you first noticed the soreness or discomfort in your back. You may mention what started the pain, such as lifting something heavy, twisting the wrong way, or after an accident. To help your care provider identify triggers, write down things that make your soreness worse, including cold, sitting for long periods, or bending. Using clear language, describe the type of pain you’re feeling, whether sharp, radiating, or burning. You can describe other symptoms, such as tightness, tingling, and weakness, talking about how serious or mild they are.
Provide Imaging and Test Results
If you have imaging tests, like X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans, collect them so that your doctor sees the specific structures causing your pain. When your healthcare provider has these records, they don’t need to order new tests, saving time required for these procedures. If you’ve had multiple tests over the years, your physician can compare older images to new ones. This enables them to ascertain if your condition is getting better, becoming worse, or staying the same. After seeing the imaging results, your doctor may suggest suitable treatments like physical therapy, injections, or surgery.
Write Down Some Questions
Before your doctor’s visit, write down some questions to help you get answers and know what your treatment entails. You may ask a specialist if any underlying conditions are contributing to your pain. Another question to ask is whether you should change your daily activities and work habits to lessen your symptoms. To know what treatment options suit you, inquire about the benefits of each of them and how they work. Knowing whether you may require long-term treatment and follow-up care allows you to better plan your appointments.
Choose a Qualified Back Doctor
Whether you have mild or severe symptoms, seeing a back doctor can help you get the right treatment to reduce discomfort. Before your appointment, send medical records so that your provider can check them and fully review your condition. Make an appointment today at a trusted clinic to learn about treatment options for back pain.