Spinal Stenosis Diagnosis

A comprehensive diagnosis of spinal stenosis commonly combines a few different testing methods.

• First, a medical history of your pain and symptoms will be reviewed. Any possible hereditary conditions will be discussed, and evaluated.
• Next, your health care provider will perform a physical examination where they will evaluate the strength of your leg and foot muscles.
• A Nerve sensation test will be performed to check for nerve compression or irritation.
• Finally, your balance and reflexes are usually tested to see if there are problems with specific nerve roots commonly associated with spinal stenosis.

Diagnostic Tests for Spinal Stenosis

A CT scan with an injection of dye in the spinal fluid sac may be performed. An MRI image may also be taken to view anything the doctor suspects to be signs of spinal stenosis. X- Ray images are of no real use other than ruling out other conditions that may also attribute to your symptoms. CT scans without dye injection are rarely used for diagnosing spinal stenosis unless performed with very fine segmental scan slices.