What are the symptoms to look for to determine if you should visit the local emergency room for your spine related pain? The following is a list of red-flags that indicate on their own or in some combination the necessity to seek emergency care.
- Sudden loss of sensation in one or both legs, the saddle area (groin and genital area, and/or the anal region)
- Inability to walk or stand
- Loss of bowel or bladder control or inability to pass urine/feces
- Sudden, intolerable pain in the lower back and/or leg(s)
- Back pain that radiates to the abdomen in front
- Loss of consciousness
- Spine pain that follows a trauma, such as a fall, sports injury, or car accident
- Sudden back pain with known risk factors for a fracture, such as osteoporosis
- Spinal pain with recent loss of body weight for no apparent reason
- Shock-like pain down the arms or legs or both with movement of the head
No matter where you first present, all healthcare providers are thinking of the above red flags when an acute patient presents to their office. If you don’t have any of the symptoms above, but your pain is becoming intolerable, this is reason to contact a non-emergency healthcare provider to help manage and treat your pain. Your family doctor can order bloodwork, imaging and rule out more emergent issues and visceral problems. A musculoskeletal specialist like a chiropractor or physiotherapist can help you address the mechanical causes for your pain. For some individuals, Hamilton massage therapy can also help ease muscle tension while awaiting further evaluation.
If you are unsure whether or not to present to the emergency room, you can call Health Connect Ontario (Health811) for those in Ontario by dialing 811 to speak with a nurse to guide you through making this decision. Most other healthcare providers’ offices will typically ask you the reason for your visit. If you express your concern on whether or not to go to the emergency room, the healthcare provider may wish to speak with you directly and then together you can make that decision.
On occasion, at home care may be recommended first, particularly if the you have very little mobility. The physical action of getting to the office (walking or driving, getting out of the car, etc..) and then to get in the clinic or examination room, maybe too much. A recommendation to stay at home for 1-2 days with home instructions may be the first line of care.
If you feel you have any of the symptoms above or are concerned about a loved one, please get to the nearest emergency room. If I can help you in any other way, please call our clinic, 905-529-2911, during our office hours. For all non-emergency care, please either call to book an appointment, or use our online booking for further assessment.