Lumbar Dermatome Map

What is a Lumbar Dermatome Map?

A dermatome map is a guide practitioners utilize to identify the affected dermatome based on the patient’s symptoms. A , in particular, focuses on the dermatomes and spinal nerves located in the lower back region.

To help you out, here’s a list of the lower back region’s spinal nerves and their corresponding dermatomes.

• L1: lower back, upper hips, and groin
• L2: lower back, hips, and tops of the inner thigh
• L3: lower back, inner thighs, and inner legs below the knees
• L4: the back of the knees, inner sections of the lower legs, and the heels
• L5: top of the feet and front of the lower legs

As for the map, we noticed the existence of a handful of dermatome map templates, but templates of lumbar dermatome maps are few and far between. That’s why we’ve created a lumbar dermatome map template to help practitioners who want to focus on checking the patient’s lower extremities and affected dermatomes or spinal nerves in the lower back region. Our template can reduce the risk of practitioners getting distracted or confused by the other regions and places a premium on finding the localized lesion in the area.

Does your patient exhibit symptoms in the dermatomes in the lower back region? Think you will benefit from having a copy of a lumbar dermatome map? Keep reading for more information on how to download and use our template.

How does it work?

Step One. Download the Template 

You can access and download a copy of our printable lumbar dermatome map template by doing either of the following:

• Clicking the “Download Template” or “Use this Template” button above
• Searching for the “Lumbar Dermatome Map” in Carepatron’s template library on our website or app

Step Two. Examine the Patient

After writing down the essential information, like the date and patient’s name, it’s time to examine the patient. There are two ways to conduct dermatome testing. You can opt to do the light touch test with a ball of cotton wool on the concerned area, or you can also do the pinprick test by pricking the area with a pin and asking the patient if they feel a sharp or blunt sensation. Don’t forget to ask for sensory symptoms from the patient so you have a more concrete idea of what the patient is experiencing. 

Step Three. Fill out the Template

Once you’re finished with testing, mark the affected area/s. You can also note down symptom descriptions or possible causes of their symptoms in the space provided. 

Step Four. Interpret the Results

Utilizing the template and your knowledge on dermatomes, interpret the results you obtained and proceed with further testing to confirm or deny your clinical impression. 

Lumbar Dermatome Map Assessment Example (Sample)

Here’s our example of a filled-out lumbar dermatome map PDF template. Hopefully, this will provide insight into how this assessment may look when completed. 

You can use an offline copy as a reference in the future by clicking the sample below or the “Download Example PDF” button above. 

Download this Lumbar Dermatome Map Example:

When would you use this Template?

You and your fellow practitioner can use this lumbar dermatome map template in various ways. Though we give our complete trust in your expertise to make the most out of this template, here’s a list of the situations where it may benefit you to have a copy of the template: 

• When you’re conducting a neurological examination for spinal nerve root injury or radiculopathy
• When you’re checking for the effectiveness of spinal anesthesia
• When you’re conducting a pinprick or light touch test

Benefits

Easy to Administer

You will only need a pin, a cotton ball, and our printable template to administer a dermatome test in the lower back region and obtain results. And since there aren’t multiple steps needed to conduct the test and record the results, you can effortlessly administer the test in minutes. 

Simple to Use

It’s a huge help if the template where you can write results isn’t overwhelming to look at or use. That’s why we’ve made it as simple to use as possible. All you have to do is to mark the concerned area and write down your observations and possible causes, and you’re finished. 

Time-Saving

Without the need to create a template from scratch, you’re essentially streamlining the test-conducting process, saving you and your patient a lot of time. Additionally, when all other tests can’t find the cause or explain the exhibited symptoms, this quick test can immediately provide a clue that practitioners can use as a basis for further testing. 

Entirely Digital and Accessible

Since our free lumbar dermatome map template is entirely digital and accessible on any gadget, you can fill them out on Carepatron or any local PDF editor you have. Furthermore, if you save it on Carepatron, not only do you not have to worry about storage security  - our software is secure and HIPAA compliant - but you can also effortlessly share the document with relevant parties in a few clicks. 

Research & Evidence

Though there are multiple studies and evidence that prove that dermatome maps aren’t the best tools practitioners can use due to their inconsistencies across guides/templates and on a person - since the location of a particular dermatome area may vary a bit depending on the patient’s body - according to Downs and Laporte, sensory skin tests are still a valuable and “important tool for identifying the location of a neurological injury”. Therefore, it’s recommended that practitioners continue using lumbar dermatome maps but take its results with a grain of salt and do further testing before formulating a clinical impression or final diagnosis. 

Why use Carepatron as your Lumbar Dermatome Map app?

Beyond being software where you can obtain a guide and template of a lumbar dermatome map, Carepatron is also a leading practice management software with features that’ll help you automate administrative tasks and streamline processes.

When you download Carepatron’s app on your desktop or iOs/Android mobile devices, you’ll see that you can access more than our lumbar dermatome map template editor. In fact, on Carepatron, you can do the following:

• Edit, download, and print over 700 PDF templates of medical documents like guides, assessments, tests, and surveys.
• Create, scan, or upload templates you can’t find in our library
• Store digital notes and client medical records in our HIPAA-compliant, secure EHR system
• Effortlessly schedule and conduct teleconsultation sessions with your integrated calendar and video call solutions
• Set up an automated payment system for your client

Do all of these and more when you sign up on Carepatron today! Reap the benefits of using software that’ll help you efficiently accomplish tasks.

References

Downs, M. B., & Laporte, C. (2011, June). Conflicting Dermatome Maps: Educational and Clinical Implications. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 41(6), 427–434. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2011.3506