When is back pain an emergency?

Although low back pain can be serious, it doesn’t typically require emergency care. But there are times when back pain is an emergency. It’s important to understand the signs of an emergency so you can seek prompt treatment.

Whether your low back pain is an emergency or not, it can be uncomfortable and disruptive. See the specialists at Aurora Health Care for full-spectrum diagnosis and treatment for low back pain. We help you find relief so you can get back to the life you love.

What is a red flag for back pain?

If low back pain is a medical emergency, your symptoms are usually intense and start suddenly. You typically also have one or more red-flag symptoms along with the pain, such as:

• Difficulty walking or standing
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Loss of consciousness
• Pain that radiates from the lower back around to your abdomen
• Sudden numbness in one or both legs or in your pelvic area

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency care or call 911 right away. These symptoms can indicate a problem with your blood vessels, spine or nerves that could cause lasting damage without immediate treatment.

What emergency conditions cause low back pain?

Some conditions can cause nerve damage or impair your back or leg function and require timely care, including:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA): An AAA is a weak spot in the wall of your abdominal aorta, your body’s main artery that runs from your heart down through your abdomen. Abdominal aortic aneurysms may cause stabbing, continuous pain in your abdomen and low back. You may also experience a rapid heartbeat, cold sweats or shallow breathing.
• Cauda equina syndrome: The nerve roots in your lower spine (cauda equina) get compressed, restricting movement and sensation. Cauda equina syndrome usually also causes problems with bowel movements or bladder control and numbness in your groin, buttocks, inner thighs or genitals.
• Vertebral osteomyelitis: An infection develops in your vertebrae. Vertebral osteomyelitis is rare and usually occurs when an infection spreads to your spine from another part of your body. You may also have a fever, swelling, redness around your lower back or unexplained weight loss.

Who is more likely to experience a back pain emergency?

Back pain emergencies can happen to anyone. But some factors can affect your risk, including:

• Age: People younger than 18 and older than 50 are at the highest risk.
• Health history: Immunocompromised people have a higher risk.
• Underlying conditions: Diagnoses like osteoporosis or osteoarthritis can increase your risk.

How can you tell if back pain is muscular or something else?

Lower back pain is often simply a strained muscle or pulled ligament. If your back pain is muscular, you may notice symptoms such as bursts of pain with muscle contractions (muscle spasms), a dull ache or pain that worsens when you move.

But low back pain may also be neurological, meaning it arises because of a problem with your nerves. These neurological problems may cause lower back pain along with:

• Bladder or bowel problems
• Fever or chills
• Numbness, tingling or weakness in your legs
• Pain that radiates to your legs
• Unexplained weight loss

How long can low back pain last?

Lower back pain can last anywhere from a few days to several months. There are two types of low back pain:

• Acute low back pain lasts several hours or days.
• Chronic low back pain lasts three months or longer.

In general, you should seek immediate medical care if you experience lower back pain that:

• Comes on suddenly and severely
• Develops after a traumatic injury, such as a car accident
• Is accompanied by other red-flag symptoms
• Lasts for longer than 12 weeks