Dr David McGrath

Spine Physician

MB BS (Hons) FAFOM, RACP, FAFMM
Master of Pain Medicine

Signs Of Recovery

Signs of recovery, are of course, the opposite of disorder, but the sequence in which they reappear, are not necessarily the same order in which they were lost.
But first,what are the cardinal signs of disorder in the musculoskeletal system.
1.Loss of Power
2.Noise (clicks,grinds)
3.Pain
These signs, are convergent,and thus tend to come and go together.

If there is protective muscle reaction and disruption to blood flow, there will also be
1. Loss of range of joint movement and a perception of muscle tightness
2. Unusual sensory symptoms, such as "pins and needles" or "burning" or "ants crawling" or "itch"

As the situation worsens, more of these symptoms arise, and the area involved increases. A type of "domino" effect can occur, as more and more protective reaction arises,giving rise to yet further symptoms (note: this is not a vicious circle)

This situation, does not generally reverse in the order, in which it arose.
On the way to recovery, you may notice
1. The pain pattern changes. In particular, it may relocate.
2. The nature of unusual sensations may change. (eg from burning to parasthesia)
3. Noises become less noticeable, or new ones arise replacing the old.
4. Pain becomes less intense, and recovery from exacerbations is faster.
5. The threshold for painful aggravations rise.
6. The heaviness, from loss of power and equilibrium, reduces
7. The size of the affected area decreases.

It is worth noting that,
1. Loss of pain through medication (modulation) is not a sign of recovery
2. Loss of muscle tightness, through, massage (modulation) or acupuncture (modulation) is not a sign of recovery
These are temporay changes under the influence of the modulating input, and are unlikely to indicate a true organisational improvement or recovery.