Physical examination to assess chronic pain
During a physical examination to assess chronic pain, the health professional will look for areas of tenderness, inflammation, deformity, weakness, or numbness. The examination 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. These reactions may include moans or complaints while moving; grimacing; or slow, laboured movements. Other clues to your diagnosis, such as swelling, coolness, colour 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.
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH | Last Updated: May 28, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Nancy Greenwald, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine | |
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