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What Causes Pain In Lower Spine?
Question: I went earlier today for a pre employment evaluation. They said they wanted me to consult with a dr because I had pain in my lower spine when the physical therapist was checking it. Could this be cancer of the spine or possible injury? I am a hypochondriac so I always think the worst. I have always worked in the oil and gas industry and the work can be rugged and strenuous, but of course I think the worst because they wanted me to speak with dr.
Brief Answer:
unlikely to be cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
Spinal cancer is rare and it is very unlikely to occur in a 32 year old person. If you have done heavy lifting and hard work in the past you could have some disc disease in your back but this is common and not always a cause of severe pain. They want you to get a pre-employment exam because they want to know if you have any underlying serious problem in your back before they hire you. The most likely cause of your back pain is musculoskeletal strain from the heavy work that you have done in the past. If you have a lot of pain seeing a chiropractor could be helpful.
This does not sound like they suspect anything serious.
Regards,
unlikely to be cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
Spinal cancer is rare and it is very unlikely to occur in a 32 year old person. If you have done heavy lifting and hard work in the past you could have some disc disease in your back but this is common and not always a cause of severe pain. They want you to get a pre-employment exam because they want to know if you have any underlying serious problem in your back before they hire you. The most likely cause of your back pain is musculoskeletal strain from the heavy work that you have done in the past. If you have a lot of pain seeing a chiropractor could be helpful.
This does not sound like they suspect anything serious.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
What I'm having trouble understanding is why would I need an MD approval, when there is a chiropractor that works there, I guess that's what scares me. It only hurt when they pressed around my lower spinal area.
Brief Answer:
Company being cautious.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your follow up.
Usually when company requests that someone see a doctor for an evaluation, they just want to make sure that you do not have a serious problem. For example, if you had severe disc disease with nerve impingement, then you could lift something and become paralysed. That could result in a large workman's compensation claim for the company, costing them a lot of money.
I do not see anything alarming in your MRI, so I think you will not have a problem with the doctor's assessment. I think they just want their doctor's approval to protect themselves against future workman's compensation claims.
Company being cautious.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your follow up.
Usually when company requests that someone see a doctor for an evaluation, they just want to make sure that you do not have a serious problem. For example, if you had severe disc disease with nerve impingement, then you could lift something and become paralysed. That could result in a large workman's compensation claim for the company, costing them a lot of money.
I do not see anything alarming in your MRI, so I think you will not have a problem with the doctor's assessment. I think they just want their doctor's approval to protect themselves against future workman's compensation claims.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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