TESTING-What to expect.........
 

Hey guys.....

I have a Lumbar Stress Study in Weight Bearing tomorrw, they are checking for Instabillity.

I am very NERVOUS, never had to take one of these before, and the thought of having to flex then extend sends a shiver down my SPINE!!! That's gonna HURT LIKE CRAZY!!!!!

Can anyone tell me what to expect, tomorrow,how long it takes, how much it is going to hurt etc......

Thank you!!!
CALLA..

Calla, it sounds like you are doing more than just flexion/extension xrays. Weighted / standing / sitting MRI? Dynamic MRI?

Please let us know... maybe even give me a call when it's over?

Mark

Uhm...........well my doctor said that he orderd a lumbar stress study in weight bearing. He told me that it was going to be flexion/extension xrays..

I have NO idea!!!! This is all so CONFUSING!!!

Thanx, Calla

If he says it's just flex/ext xrays, that's very common and no big deal. Does he not have xray capability in his office?

You'll just take few plain xrays... flex forward... bend at the waist as if you are trying to touch your toes. Arch backwards... If these things hurt, then they'll hurt when you are taking the xrays, but they'll show the alignment of the vertebral bodies as you move around.

There is some controversy starting about the usefulness of these studies, but all the docs I know rely on they and I've seen them being determinative.

Mark

Hi Calla,

I am not sure what he means by a "stress" lumbar study. However, if it is involving flexion and extension - that is just a plain old X-ray with you bending over in one film and arching your back in another film. Not too bad other than posing to get your "picture taken".

Are you suppose to have an MRI too?