Identifying Red Flags in Patients with Low Back Pain: A Professional Guide for Spine Health

Red Flags in Low Back Pain

Low back pain is a common problem that can affect people of all ages. In most cases, low back pain is not a cause for concern and will improve on its own within a few weeks. However, there are some red flags that could indicate a more serious problem.

What are the red flags of low back pain?

Presence of red flags in association with low back ache indicates the presence of a serious underlying disease. Hence, in such cases, urgent evaluation is essential .If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is important to see a doctor:

• Fever: Fever along with severe back pain may occur in infections such as vertebral osteomyelitis.

• Unexplained weight loss especially in patients with previous history of cancer indicates possible malignancy affecting the spine

• Recent history of cancer

• Pain at night or at rest usually is seen in spine infections

• Pain that worsens with lying down usually is seen in spine infections and cancers

• Neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs indicates that there is severe compression of spinal nerves and may require surgery

• Unexplained changes in bowel or bladder function in association with back pain and sciatica is a sign of cauda equina syndrome and is a surgical emergency.

• Persistent or Progressive pain despite adequate medical management and physiotherapy could be due to some chronic underlying pathology and needs evaluation

What causes low back pain?

There are many different causes of low back pain. Some of the most common causes include:

• Muscle strains

• Ligament sprains

• Disc herniation

• Spinal stenosis

• Osteoarthritis

• Infection

• Cancer

  
  

When to see a doctor:

You should see a doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Severe pain that does not improve with self-care

• Pain that is accompanied by fever, unexplained weight loss, or recent history of cancer

• Pain that worsens with lying down

• Neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs

• Unexplained changes in bowel or bladder function

I hope this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Disclaimer:

This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health  concerns.