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Is there a relationship between a pre-employment lumbar x-ray and job lifting ablility?
Can a doctor predect how much a person can lift by looking at a lumbar x-ray?  If there are no previous back injuries or problems?

Answer -
Hi Larry,
Thanks so much for your questions.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by relationship but as far as I know, unless some abnormality showed up on the x-ray, there shouldn't much of a concern.

And if, like you said, there are no previous injuries or problems, a doctor can't predict what a person can lift. He might instruct the proper technique on how and how not to lift an object. He might also tell his patient to avoid heavy loads. Some doctors my tell their patients what limits they need to be aware of but that's up to the patient to decide whether or not to follow the doctor's advice.

I hope this helps and if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me anytime.

Thanks again,
John McKinzie

Hi!

Thanks for the try.  This is very important.  Can a radiologist or doctor look at a lumbar spinal x-ray and predict how much a person can lift?
Whether the x-ray is of a young person or an older one with some disk compression that is normal for the age of the person, can a prediction or estimate be made about how much a person can lift on an unspecified job?

Answer -
Larry,

I don't think the doctors can give you a prediction of how much weight a person can lift. The proper lifting technique involves the use of the legs more so than the back.

A doctor can tell you that your lifting range is 70-80 pounds but you can severely strain your back lifting 50 pounds because you didn't use the proper technique.

I suggest you talk to your doctor and explain what kind of physical activity the job requires and go from there. He will know, from your medical records, what your medical status is and give you his opinion and advice.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me again anytime.

Thanks,
John McKinzie

Hellow again,

How caa a doctor, by looking at a lumbar x-ray, predict or assign a lifting range?  Is there scientific data?  Research?




Answer -
Larry,

It's an educated guess based on the doctor's medical knowledge and what he/she knows about the patient.

Thanks,
John McKinzie

Thanks>  Is the medical knowlegge based on anything?  And what if I never met the doctor?  Will another doctor have a different opinion? Or is it definitive?


Answer
Larry,

Their medical knowledge is based upon a formal education at a medical school and the experiences gained throughout the years of the doctor's medical practice.

It's up to each individual doctor but it's not unusual for doctor's opinions to vary.

John McKinzie