What is dangerous back pain?

All lower back pains like lower back pain are not dangerous, but if this pain is severe, persistent and without a clear cause or accompanied by neurological symptoms, it should be taken seriously; Dangerous back pain usually indicates a deeper problem with the spine or internal organs. Pain that worsens at night or is accompanied by muscle weakness, numbness in the legs, or trouble controlling urine and stool can be a sign of a severe herniated disc, spinal stenosis, infection, or even cancer. Also, if lower back pain occurs after a serious injury such as a fall or an accident, it needs immediate examination.

For timely diagnosis and prevention of serious complications, accurate recognition of lumbar disc symptoms is very important. People who experience severe lower back pain, shooting in the legs, muscle weakness, or numbness should see a doctor immediately, as these symptoms could be signs of a herniated disc or other serious spine problem. Knowing these symptoms helps to get treatment in time and prevent the progression of pain or permanent damage.

Features and symptoms of dangerous back pain

Description	Features / Symptoms
Pain that is severe and does not decrease with time may be a sign of serious injury.	Severe and constant pain
Pain that radiates from the back to the legs, buttocks, or abdomen can be caused by nerve compression or spinal problems.	spreading pain to the legs or other parts of the body
Numbness or weakness in the legs and arms may be due to nerve damage from a herniated disc or spinal cord problems.	numbness or weakness in the limbs
Inability to control urine and feces can indicate severe damage to the spinal cord and requires immediate treatment.	Disturbance in controlling urine or stool
Pain that worsens at night may be due to infection, inflammation, or spinal cord tumors.	Aggravation of pain at night
Back pain that occurs after an accident, fall, or severe impact can be caused by a fractured vertebrae.	Creation of back pain after severe injury
Unexplained weight loss with back pain may be related to serious illnesses such as cancer or metabolic disorders.	Abnormal weight loss with back pain
Back pain with fever and chills may be a sign of a spinal infection such as osteomyelitis.	Fever and chills with back pain
If back pain does not improve with rest or changing position, it may be due to more serious conditions.	No improvement with rest
Persistent low back stiffness that limits movement can be caused by conditions such as arthritis or spinal stenosis.	Stiffness and reduced back flexibility

Dr. Stuart McGill, professor emeritus of spine biomechanics from the University of Waterloo, Canada, says about dangerous back pain:

"If back pain is accompanied by symptoms such as numbness, weakness in the legs, or problems with urination, it should be immediately evaluated by a doctor, because these symptoms can be a warning of a serious nerve injury or a threatening disease of the spinal cord."

Dangerous types of back pain

Dangerous back pain does not have only one type and depending on the underlying cause, it can have different forms and symptoms. Sometimes this pain occurs locally in the lower back and sometimes it spreads to the surrounding areas such as the legs or pelvis; Especially when a person has back and hip pain at the same time, it may be a sign of nerve involvement or more serious problems such as a tumor, infection, or severe spinal injury. Knowing the types of these back pains is essential for timely diagnosis and effective treatment; In the following, we discuss the most important types of dangerous back pain and their warning signs.

According to World Health Organization(WHO), more than 80% of people have back pain at least once in their lifetime, but about 5 to 10% of these cases turn into chronic and dangerous back pains that require specialized intervention; Also, according to the data published in The Lancet magazine, back pain is one of the three main causes of disability worldwide, and every year millions of people lose the ability to work or perform daily activities due to severe and persistent pain caused by problems such as disc herniation, spinal canal stenosis, or spinal tumors.

Back pain with weakness or numbness in the legs

If the back pain is accompanied by weakness or numbness in the legs, special attention is required. This condition is usually caused by pressure on the nerve or damage to the spinal cord and can be a sign of severe disc herniation, spinal canal stenosis or cauda equina syndrome. People with such symptoms may lose muscle control, and in severe cases, partial or complete paralysis may occur. For more detailed information on how to diagnose and manage these symptoms, you can also refer to Lumbar disc and right and left leg pain.

Back pain with loss of urinary or stool control

One of the warning signs of dangerous back pain is problems with bladder or bowel control. This condition can be caused by severe compression of the spinal cord, which usually occurs as a result of cauda equina syndrome or a severe intervertebral disc injury. Such conditions require immediate medical intervention, because if not lumbar disc treatment or back pain, it will leave permanent nerve damage.

Back pain after a severe accident or fall

If back pain occurs after an accident, a fall from a height or a strong impact, there is a possibility of broken vertebrae or damage to the spine; In such cases, the person should not be moved and should be under medical attention immediately. This type of back pain may be associated with swelling, severe pain, inability to move and even deformity in the spine.

Back pain with abnormal weight loss

Unexplained weight loss along with back pain can be a sign of serious problems such as spine cancer. Spinal cord tumors may press on nerves, causing persistent pain and muscle weakness. This type of pain often worsens at night and is not relieved by rest; Also, a person may experience excessive fatigue, fever or night sweats.

Back pain with fever and chills

The presence of fever and chills along with lower back pain may indicate an infection in the spine such as osteomyelitis. This type of dangerous back pain is usually constant and does not get worse with physical activities. Infection can occur due to previous surgeries, underlying diseases such as diabetes, or systemic infections. Diagnosis of this condition is done with blood tests, MRI and other imaging methods.

Back pain at night that is not relieved by rest

If back pain worsens during the night and does not improve with a change of position or rest, it may be a sign of serious problems such as spinal tumors, infection, or inflammatory diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis. In these cases, the pain usually worsens gradually and can be accompanied by symptoms such as morning stiffness, fatigue, and reduced mobility; In such a situation, it is necessary to refer to a lumbar disk doctor in Tehran or other provinces.

Back pain with difficulty walking or maintaining balance

If back pain causes inability to walk, limp, or loss of balance, it is likely due to severe damage to the spinal cord or peripheral nerves. Such a condition can occur due to problems such as spinal cord compression, tumors or neurological disorders such as MS. People may feel unsteady in their legs and have trouble going up and down stairs.

Back pain with swelling or deformation of the spine

Abnormal swelling or deformity in the lower back, along with severe pain, may indicate vertebral fractures, tumors, or inflammatory diseases. This type of back pain usually appears suddenly and can cause limited movement and severe weakness in the lower part of the body; In such cases, rapid diagnosis through imaging such as X-ray or MRI is essential. Depending on the underlying cause, treatment can include drug therapy, physical therapy, or surgery to correct spinal deformities.

Chronic back pain that does not improve with common treatments

If back pain persists for more than a few weeks and does not improve with treatments such as pain relievers, physical therapy, and rest, more serious causes should be sought. This condition may occur due to problems such as spinal canal stenosis, chronic inflammatory diseases or even internal organ problems such as kidneys; In such cases, the doctor may perform more detailed tests to determine the root cause of the pain. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment can include anti-inflammatory drugs, spinal injections or even surgery.

Back pain with chest or abdominal pain

Sometimes, back pain is a symptom of heart problems or digestive problems such as peptic ulcer or pancreatitis. Pain that radiates from the back to the chest or abdomen may be caused by conditions such as aortic aneurysms, kidney stones, or digestive disorders. This type of back pain is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or changes in heart rate.

The cause of acute back pain

The treatment of acute back pain varies depending on the severity of the symptoms and its underlying cause, but following a few basic measures can help reduce the pain and prevent the injury from worsening; Below are the basic steps and specialized measures to manage this type of back pain:

• Resting in the right position; In case of acute back pain, reducing movement and lying on a flat surface with slightly bent knees can reduce the pressure on the spine.
• Using an ice pack; In the first 24 hours, putting ice on the pain area helps reduce inflammation.
• Heat therapy; After a day, using local heat improves blood circulation and reduces muscle spasm.
• specialized medical assessment; A specialist doctor like Dr. Mahmoud Yazdan Panahi determines the exact cause of pain by examining neurological symptoms and performing imaging such as MRI.
Advanced treatments; Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include physical therapy, spinal injections or, in severe cases, surgery.

The cause of sudden back pain

Sudden back pain usually occurs due to sudden injuries to the spine, muscles or ligaments. Factors such as improper lifting of heavy objects, sprained or strained muscles, falls, accidents or direct impact can cause this pain. In some cases, the cause of sudden pain can be a more serious problem such as a herniated disc, fractured vertebrae, or neurological disorders that require immediate medical attention.

Paying attention to the severity of the pain, its spread to the legs, numbness, muscle weakness or impaired control of urine and stool helps to determine whether the pain is simple or requires immediate medical intervention.

When is back pain dangerous?

Not all back pain is dangerous, but in some situations, it is necessary to see a doctor immediately. Types of dangerous back pain are usually accompanied by symptoms such as numbness, weakness in the legs, loss of control of urine or stool, unexpected weight loss, or persistent pain that does not improve with rest. Such cases may indicate serious diseases such as severe disc herniation, spinal infections, or even spinal tumors.
Early referral to a specialist like Dr. Mahmoud Yazdan Panahi can help in quick diagnosis and prevent irreparable damage. Accurate diagnosis is made using clinical examination, imaging tests and neurological tests.