Physical exam to assess chronic pain

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Physical exam to assess chronic pain

During a physical exam to assess chronic pain, the health professional will look for areas of tenderness, inflammation, deformity, weakness, or numbness. The exam may also be more targeted if the area of pain is limited and its cause is clear.

Your health professional will examine your reflexes and look for your reaction to certain movements. Other clues to your diagnosis, such as swelling, coolness, color change, or excessive sweating in one limb, may be noted.

Physical function may be evaluated by:

Your ability to carry out daily activities. Your health professional may evaluate your ability to function in daily activities and how your pain affects these activities. Any aids or devices that you use, such as a cane or brace, will be noted, along with your general activity level.
Measures of function. Your physical function will be evaluated by checking your balance and the range of motion in your joints.

Credits

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Author	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Nancy Greenwald, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Last Updated	February 22, 2007

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Last updated:	February 22, 2007
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Nancy Greenwald, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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