ryggstatus

Ryggstatus is a clinical assessment used in Swedish and Norwegian medical practice to describe the current condition of the spine and related neurological function in patients with back pain or spinal disease. It is typically part of the physical examination and is used to document structural status, functional limitation, and neurological signs that may indicate nerve involvement or spinal pathology.

Assessment usually includes inspection of posture and spinal alignment, palpation for tenderness, and evaluation of active and passive range of motion in the cervical or lumbar region. Neurological components examine motor strength in relevant myotomes, sensory perception in dermatomes, reflexes, and gait or balance. Additional tests for nerve irritation, such as the straight-leg raise, femoral stretch test, and, when appropriate, neurodynamic tests, may be performed. In cases suggestive of myelopathy or upper motor neuron involvement, coordination, clonus, and pathologic reflexes may be evaluated.

Clinical use: Ryggstatus guides diagnosis and treatment planning in a wide range of conditions, including disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, vertebral fracture, infections, tumors, and inflammatory disorders. It helps determine the need for imaging, referrals, or interventions and provides a basis for monitoring progression or response to therapy.

Documentation: Findings are recorded in the medical record as part of the physical examination. The term ryggstatus may be used specifically in Nordic-language clinics to denote the spine-focused portion of the exam. The approach and tests included can vary by patient, clinician, and clinical setting.

See also: neurological examination, physical examination, back pain, spinal disorders.