Spinal injury diagnosis

The complex diagnostic evaluation helps doctors find and determine possible spinal cord injuries. These exams and tests are done outside of a hospital and take several days to finish. During this time, doctors will ask the patient about their health, look at their medical records, and do a physical exam to look for symptoms of a spinal cord injury. Lab tests let physicians know about any problems with how the body works. For example, blood tests for inflammation are done to determine what else might be causing the symptoms. Neurological examination, electromyography, and nerve conduction study are all specialized tests that look at how the nervous system works, including reflexes, sensation, and muscle strength. They can help a neurosurgeon figure out spinal cord injuries heavily and decide how to treat them. An MRI scan of the spine gives a clear picture of the spinal cord and its structures. This test can help doctors figure out where and how bad the injury is to the spinal cord so they can give the proper treatment. These tests aim to get an accurate diagnosis so that a suitable treatment can be chosen to help with symptoms and stop more damage to the spine.