Is It More than Sciatica? Sciatica Specialist in Paramus Reveals 5 Back Pain Red Flags

#1. Your age

While age is obviously not a symptom, it may become a red flag when associated with chronic or even acute back pain. For example, if people under 18 with no history of trauma sudden experience back pain, it may be an indication of a vertebral stress fracture. This is often the case with young gymnasts or athletes. If pain is accompanied by sudden weight loss, it can also be a sign of a spinal tumor.

If you are over the age of 50, sudden back pain may indicate a variety of conditions, such as a tumor or a spinal infection. Apart from spinal conditions, back pain may be caused abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is a potentially severe deficiency in the main artery that pumps blood to your legs.

#2. Fever or chills

A fever is usually a sign that your body is fighting an infection. If it is accompanied by back pain, it can be any type of infection, including meningitis, an infection in the epidural space surrounding your spinal cord, or an infection related to surgery. Fever, chills, stiff neck, or unexplained weight loss are all common signs of a spinal infection.

Fever and chills, combined with low back pain, may also indicate a spinal epidural abscess, which is an infection that occurs between the outer covering of the spinal cord or nerve roots and the bones around it. A recently performed lumbar puncture during surgery, for example, or a steroid injection to relieve back pain, may also raise the risk of developing infections or epidural hematoma if the procedure was not performed correctly.

When dealing with spinal infections, it is important to get a correct diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. Usually, treatment will focus on treating the infection, alleviating pain, improving nutrition, and preserving or restoring spinal stability and nervous system function.

#3. Recent trauma

A spine fracture may occur as a result of severe trauma, such as a car accident, a heavy fall, or a sports injury. When this happens, a vertebral fracture can also damage nearby nerves or the spinal cord.

Minor trauma, however, can also be a reason to get worried, particularly if you are over 50 and are dealing with or presenting high risks of osteopenia, osteoporosis, or another disease that deteriorates the bones. Minor trauma to the spine may occur as a result of reaching, twisting, or falling from a standing position.

Patients that are taking anticoagulant medication may also experience epidural hematomas as a result of trauma. In this case, you can also expect to feel symptoms such as back pain, fatigue, or tingling in the arms or legs.

#4. Pain when lying down

Although this is not always the case, back pain when laying down, also known as nocturnal back pain, can be a symptom of a severe medical illness, such as an infection.

This is particularly true if your night or sleeping back pain is accompanied by another, more indicative symptom. For example, nighttime pain and recent weight loss, especially in adolescent patients, could be a sign of something more serious and should be addressed by a specialist immediately.

#5. Incontinence

If you experience incontinence or numbness in the groin and inner thigh area, together with severe and seemingly acute back pain, these may be signs of severe nerve issues, including cauda equina syndrome.

For people that experience cauda equina syndrome, compressed nerve roots in the lumbar spine can cut off sensation and mobility in the buttocks and inner thighs, also referred to as saddle anaesthesia. If treatment is not administered quickly, paralysis and loss of sensation can become permanent.

Other signs of cauda equina include the inability to fully empty your bladder, enhanced frequency of urination, as well as overflow incontinence. Patients with this condition can also experience sexual dysfunction as well as leg weakness or sciatica, especially if the condition is worsening.

If you fear your symptoms may reveal a more severe issue, it is time you book an appointment with a spine doctor as soon as possible. At Pain Treatment Specialists, Dr Michael Nguyen and Dr George Hanna, together with their team of specialists, are dedicated to providing the best possible treatment for your condition. All of our doctors received Harvard training and are here to help you live a pain-free life, regardless if you are just looking to get your sciatica treated or receive more intensive medical care.

Book an appointment at our pain clinic, in Paramus, just off NJ-17, near the Paramus Park Mall and the Garden State Plaza Mall. For more information, we are available for phone general inquiries as well – (855) 874-9670.