Back Problems And Injuries: Check Your Symptoms

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Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Back pain with flank pain and urinary problems: Go to the topic Urinary Problems, Age 12 and Older.
• Bleeding: Go to the topic Cuts.
• Pregnant and a back problem not caused by an injury: Go to the topic Pregnancy-Related Problems.

Yes

Do you have leg weakness?

Yes

Do you have a urinary or bowel problem after an injury?

Yes

Do you have numbness or tingling in the genital area, buttocks, leg, or foot?

Yes

Do you have back pain or tenderness?

Yes

Did you have a tailbone (coccyx) injury?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• Back pain and abdominal problems: Go to the topic Abdominal Pain.
• Cramping back pain that may be caused by your menstrual period: Go to the topic Menstrual Cramps.
• Neck pain: Go to the topic Neck Problems and Injuries.
• Shoulder pain: Go to the topic Shoulder Problems and Injuries.
• A burn, scrape, or bite: Go to the topic Burns, Scrapes, or Animal and Human Bites.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Last updated:	August 28, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer