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The
vast majority of back problems improve without surgical intervention of
any kind. Here is an encouraging back
fact: 80% of the time, back and neck pain is simply the result of
a strain or soft tissue injury. In many of these simple cases of back
or neck strain, your condition will improve with specialized exercises,
rest, anti-inflammatory medicine and/or a little Mother Nature. Other
times, you may need to see a doctor, sometimes within 24 hours depending
on the symptoms. Here are some rules of thumb on symptoms:
- Trauma
-
If you fall down, are in a car accident or do anything abrupt that has
caused an onset of back pain, go to a spine specialty clinic within
24 hours.
- Radicular
Pain -
Anytime you have back or neck pain that radiates down into your leg
or arm, you need to be evaluated by a spine specialist within two to
three days, especially if it is getting worse.
- Persistent
Pain -
If pain is limited to the low back or neck area and does not begin to
subside after 3 days with anti-inflammatories and rest, then you probably
need to be evaluated by a spine specialist. For example, if you first
noticed back or neck pain on Monday, and it is now Thursday, and the
pain is not getting better, it is time to see a spine specialist to
determine the cause of your problem.
- Loss
of Control of the Bowel or Bladder is
an EMERGENCY signal that you need to see a spine specialist THE SAME
DAY. If you wait too long, you could suffer permanent paralysis of the
nerves that control you bowel or bladder.
- Foot
Drop -
If you notice that your toe is dragging as you walk, this is a DANGER
SIGNAL. Again, if you delay, you could experience permanent damage to
the nerves and sensation in the leg. This symptom should be seen within
24 hours by a spine specialist.
- Weakness,
Numbness or Pain that Extends Below a Knee or Elbow
is a serious symptom. Go to a spine center within two days.
Click
here to view resource books on spine problems, what causes back pain, what causes neck pain and when to see the doctor.
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