Table of Contents
How do they check facet joints?
Medical imaging tests Standard radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scans, and other specialized tests may be used to check the facet joint and adjacent structures. Standard radiographs may show bony changes and bone spurs within a facet joint.
What does neurogenic claudication mean?
Neurogenic = arising in the nervous system. Claudication = leg pain, heaviness and/or weakness with walking. Neurogenic claudication results from compression of the spinal nerves in the lumbar (lower) spine. It is sometimes known as pseudoclaudication.
What are facet loading maneuvers?
Historically, lumbosacral facet loading during a physical exam has been used to diagnose facetogenic pain. This maneuver is performed by having the patient extend and rotate the spine. This serves to increase pressure on the facet joints thus eliciting a pain response.
What is the Quadrant test?
The Hip Quadrant test is a passive test that is used to assess if the hip is the source of a patient’s symptoms. The hip quadrant test is also known as the quadrant scour test. This test is not to be confused with the quadrant test for the lumbar spine.
What does a positive Kemp’s test indicate?
An orthopedic test in which a patient is in a seated position and is placed into simultaneous extension and rotation of the lumbar spine. A true positive test produces numbness or tingling radiating to the legs. This indicates disc involvement. Many examiners use it to assess the facet joints as well.
What is facet loading maneuver?
What is the difference between spinal stenosis and neurogenic claudication?
Neurogenic claudication is typically caused by spinal stenosis, which is sometimes called pseudoclaudication. This is a narrowing of the space around your lower spine, which can put pressure on your spinal cord directly. It can also compress the blood vessels around the spine, depriving it of oxygen-carrying blood.
Is Sciatica the same as neurogenic claudication?
With sciatica, there is either pressure or irritation of a single nerve causing pain usually in one leg. Claudication symptoms increase with standing or walking and resolve with sitting unlike sciatica that may increase with sitting.