“At what point should you go to ER for back pain?”
I have bad back pain. Nothing helps. I want to go to the ER. At what point should you go to ER for back pain?
6 Answers
EmergencyPhysicianEmergencyPhysician
I cannot provide specific advice without an in person encounter with detailed history and exam. You should schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor for further evaluation. You should immediately seek medical attention if you lose control of your bowel/stool or bladder/urination, develop numbness or weakness. If you have had direct trauma to the area, have a history of cancer or IV drug use, if you have a fever, or If you are concerned with any acute or worsening changes.
Once back pain becomes debilitating to a point that you could no longer perform your daily activities, it is best to consult with a physician right away. Clinics tend to grade the level of pain from 0-10, 0 being no pain at all and 10 meaning that you need to go to the hospital.
Go to see an Ortho or Chiropractor. The ER is only to be used in case of a true emergency such as loss of bowel or bladder control ( or others)
Get an MRI. Don’t just avoid. Treat the instability, and don’t just get handed oral steroids, narcotics or get epidural injections. PT very important to strengthen core.
For sure. Numbness, weakness, loss of bowel/bladder function, falling or difficult ambulating.
Please consult Pain Management, Functional Medicine and Obesity. Visit Primary Care Physician for annual check up.
