Got Back Pain?

Most lower back pain is caused by an irritation of certain structures around your lumbar spine region, however it is very important to be aware of certain symptoms that are less common with back pain and what you should do if you have any:

  • New (within the last 2 weeks) altered bladder function (difficulty starting, stopping, maintaining a wee or even knowing that you need to go).

  •  New (within the last 2 weeks) altered bowel function (incontinence or leaking or not knowing when your bowel is full).

  • New (within the last 2 weeks) altered sensation around your genitals, anus or inner thighs (a change in the feeling or ability to feel temperature around where you would sit on a bike or horse saddle).

  • New (within the last 2 weeks) difficulty coordinating your legs/rapid loss of leg strength (‘jelly-legs’ or that your legs won’t go where you want them to)

  • New (within the last 2 weeks) altered sexual function (men: unable to achieve an erection or ejaculate; women: altered feeling during penetrative or oral sex)

  • New (within the last 2 weeks) pain going into both legs

 

Many patients have a combination of back pain, leg pain, leg numbness and weakness. These symptoms can be distressing but don’t necessarily require urgent medical attention. The symptoms listed above may indicate a rare but serious back condition, Cauda Equina Syndrome, which can lead to permanent damage and disability and will need to be seen by an emergency specialist spinal team in A&E as soon as possible.
This information can be accessed in a variety of different languages here.

A summary of this information can be found in this short animation: 

If you do not have any of these symptoms then please continue your self-referral