Is Someone Faking Back Pain? How to Tell. Waddell’s Signs – Tests

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Famous Physical Therapists Bob Schrupp and Brad Heineck discuss how one might determine if someone is faking low back pain. In this video they demonstrate the use of Waddell’s Signs. Tests which help asses whether a patient is faking or a symptom magnifier.

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Bambi Able says:

I have followed you off and on, however – on this one I do not agree. I have had back pain since my 30's. My thoraic spine is fused. I have 'congenitally' narrowing all up and down my spine with one of my verterbrae spinal canal bad enough that if it get any worse, they will cut the top of my verterbrae off….C- low or T-High…I don't exactly remember. I have a cyst in my low lumbar region pressing on the spinal cord. I had my ENTIRE lower leg go numb and I had to spend a week in bed with that pain. AND , my back does hurt to the touch. I have fusions and spurs throughout. Various diagnosis- Degenerative Disc, DISH, Ankolyosing spondylitis. I would hurt if I twisted my spine at the knees. I am sure not faking it…diagnosis made at different times, most recently at Semmes Murphy Clinic in Memphis, but it was first noted in St.Louis, MO and in New Jersey. I still work and have never taken opiods more then a few days at a time. Have been on 500 mg Naprosyn daily (1994-2013) and now on Diflocnac. Depending on how bad it is…a hug will hurt my spine and a light tap on the head as well.

Honerd Couster says:

Only a doctor who knows the proper MRI technique to detect the most consequential spinal cyst could make that call not some joker

Joseph springer says:

touching me doesn't cause pain. poking at my back will, couple hours later for 2 to 3 days, had 8 disc and 8 vertebra broke,Ohio workers comp told the doctor just T12 50% compression, well l5/s1 were broke and moving, He bent me like a pretzel and told OWC healed nothing wrong and faking using the walker! And he told me everything that was broke! Had fusion done 11 months later because of the idiot, it failed. 10 years &50 crack pots later. they sent me back to the moron again. Told him out right you touch me call a coroner! In Ohio it's legal  to protect yourself! Said I could go back to work. Social security told me you will never work again and Ohio workers comp just saved 1.5 million fixing you! Who do you believe? Workers comp is so bad the took me to there court wrong med, next time wrong mg. third time wrong amount. 4th time paid to much! each time takes 2 to 3 visits to there kangaroo court. who do you believe! your back and only your back! Could of been working 13 years ago if I went overseas and paid cash! Do not trust US doctors! get your imaging learn to read it yourself

pentecostalangel1 says:

I was told by my dr. That nobody can trellis you that you don’t have pain in your back. It’s a complex critter.

Michael Pack says:

thanks guys now I know what to do or maybe not to do thanks again lol

Elijah Robinson says:

Sometimes the 'faker' has experienced psychological (what these guys refer to as emotional) issues surrounding the injury/therapy.

There are always going to be those who try to scam 'the system' but there are often folks who live in chronic pain but have never been properly diagnosed by a competent physician (or therapist).

Loveduhmusic says:

I was in the Army for 4 years active duty as a 13B aka artlliery men. Went to ny civilan physician I got X-rays done he said nothing was wrong he could see. I pulled my back lifting rounds and lifting heavy equipment. Can't even sleep good anymore.

Dan Scalone says:

I used to look at people that claimed "Back Pain' with contempt until I developed Compressed Discs. Hurts like Hell!

Dane G says:

Gents you're only physical therapists, not MD's. You're basing these opinions on limited information. There is a tremendous amount of education and experience you simply do not have. Focus more on treatment rather than being a detective. Leave it to us to make these determinations.

KAREN says:

I was basically ignored by my doctor. She said she’ll prescribe cymbalta, an antidepressant despite have no reflex in my left leg. Well I ended up with 2 new disc herniations and nerve root compression. She also told me before to get a new bra BC my breasts were the cause of my back pain. That ended up with 2 other disc ruptures and spinal stenosis. She’s incompetent and shouldn’t be practicing medicine. I got a new doctor! I need surgery. She’s an idiot! Oh as for money being a motive? No car accident here, I did it at home both times from the smallest activity. I left my six figure job 5 years ago, 60/hr, five weeks vacation a year, number 3 on the seniority list out of 100 people. Oh yeah, I so want to live off benefits. It’s now going on six years. Lost 600,000 in possible income! Will never be able to go back into that kind of job. The hospital I worked for basically tried to get rid of me because of my issues and they were very underhanded about it. I got screwed out of my LT disability! I can say more but I won’t. Did I get any money no I did not. I lost big time. Stop judging. Most have nothing to gain and their pain is real! Btw that job I did for 21 years was likely the cause of the wear and tear on my back. Oh and the bias against pain is real. I had a hard time getting a muscle relaxer with a positive MRI scan. I have no drug use history. It’s getting insane. My new doc gave me the muscle relaxer and a nerve drug and I take otc meds. I take as prescribed. The judgement is over the top and it needs to stop! Yes I used to take care of drug seekers, they are usually on heavy duty narcotics like MS Contin 160mg twice daily and MSIR 40mg for break thru pain q8hr. I’m not exaggerating. They also hit the ED Frequently and demand dilaudid IV. Sure it’s a big problem but I’m not buying that every person who takes pain med temporarily is at risk for addiction. That’s media nonsense. There’s a Huge difference in drug seekers and people in legitimate pain! Why are they punishing everyone, especially people with no drug history and real pain? It’s wrong!

Rhetorical Answer says:

After watching this all I can do is laugh at you. 1. I tried doing the first test and mind you I have no low back pain anymore, but I definitely feel my lumbar region twist doing this – in fact there is more tension on that section you are trying to overcome than when your arms are free. The only possibly way it could not is if your feet shift around on the floor like you are a statue. 2. Muscles only gradually give way? Really? You've obviously never had a sciatic pain where you are fine until you hit that specific spot that hurts and then you let go. What a joke.

Fox says:

I've so far had two fusion surgeries over a three year span due to a work accident, both have failed to relieve my back and leg pain and have actually made my back pain worse! I've also had physical therapy with no results and I'm not in the starting phase for a spinal stimulator. You guys would be more than welcome to test me all you want if I didn't have to live in never ending pain and live on a diet of morphine anymore. This has ruined my life!

Jeremy Batten says:

In 1998, Main and Waddell stated that these physical signs have been misinterpreted and misused both clinically and medico-legally. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519492/
Defend your position! I'm listening…

David Dove says:

I had a ruptured L-4L-5, it pinched the sciatic nerve in my right leg. There were times the pain, stabbing,tingling,numbness was so intense i couldn't tell where it started or stopped. Not sure why someone would try to fool a therapist. Extended workers comp or insurance payment. Not at all what emergency rooms and pill seekers.

Christopher Cole Coffelt says:

This is y’alls problem. This is why chiropractics are so disregarded. Pop everything. Or is there truly just a ton of pretension and only a few people know how to do that? Gonstead🙌🙌🙌👏👏👏

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