Question

A 35 y.o. male arrives complaining of back pain in the lower region for five days.

What position is required for the physician to examine the patient?

Answer 1

To examine a patient complaining of lower back pain, a physician may have them lie supine or prone. Additionally, the patient may be asked to stand and perform movements to assess the spine's range of motion and check for conditions like scoliosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

To assess a patient with lower back pain, the physician can choose from several positions for examination. However, based on clinical practice and literature, there are a couple of common positions used for initial examination:

The patient can lie down supine (on their back) while the physician palpates the lumbar area to identify any areas of tenderness or muscle spasm.

Alternatively, the patient may be asked to lie prone (on their stomach) if a posterior approach is needed or if extension of the spine is being assessed.

During the physical examination, the physician may also evaluate the spine's range of motion and check for neurologic deficits. This might involve asking the patient to stand and perform certain movements, such as bending forward, backward, and to each side. For a more specialized assessment of spinal alignment, such as checking for scoliosis or other vertebral curvature disorders, the patient is generally examined from behind both in a neutral standing position and while bending forward at the waist.