Emergency Room for Back Pain
Back pain by itself is not usually an emergency, but if it is debilitating or accompanied by other telltale symptoms, it can be a sign of a serious condition that does require immediate treatment. If you experience sudden and severe back pain or back pain accompanied by symptoms like difficulty walking or standing, difficulty controlling bowel movements or urination, pain that radiates around to the abdomen or down into the legs, or numbness in one or both legs, get to the nearest Surepoint ER location for fast medical care.
We’re staffed 24/7 with doctors who are experts in emergency medicine, we have diagnostic equipment like X-rays and CT scans, and we have a full lab and an in-house pharmacy on site, so we’re well-prepared to diagnose and treat any back pain issues you may have.
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When Should You Go to the Emergency Room for Back Pain?
Lower back pain is a common condition, particularly among older people. The lower back pain most people experience is usually the result of changes in the spine as a person ages, stress from jobs that require heavy lifting, repetitive motions, or long periods of sitting, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle. Any new or unexplained back pain should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible to rule out a medical emergency and to ensure that further harm isn’t going to be caused by ignoring the problem.
You should go to Surepoint ER for back pain if the pain is severe enough to hinder the normal function of your body, if the pain is sudden and severe, if the pain is the result of a traumatic injury like an automobile accident or sports injury, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms that may be an indicator of a serious underlying condition that may require immediate treatment.
Surepoint is Open 24/7 Near You!
If you are experiencing severe back pain accompanied by difficulty walking or standing, pain radiating into the abdomen or limbs, difficulty controlling bowels and bladder, or other serious symptoms, visit a Surepoint ER near you now.
We are open 24-7, no appointment needed.
Back Pain “Red Flags” - Signs that Back Pain is an Emergency
If back pain is accompanied by any of the following “red flag” symptoms, you should get to the nearest emergency room right away, because they could be signs of a serious medical condition that needs immediate treatment.
“Red flag” symptoms to watch out for include:
- Difficulty/inability to walk or stand
- Difficulty/inability to control bowel movements or bladder
- Difficulty with urination
- Debilitating pain in the lower back and/or legs
- Pain that radiates from the back around to the abdomen
- Numbness in the area of the groin, genitals, buttocks, or legs
- Numbness in one or both arms
- Shoulder pain
- Jaw pain
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
If this describes any back pain symptoms you or someone you know are experiencing, don’t wait. Get to the nearest Surepoint ER location for evaluation and treatment.
Serious Conditions that May Have Back Pain as a Symptom
Severe back pain can be hard enough to deal with on its own, but it could also be a symptom of a serious medical problem that requires immediate medical attention so it can be diagnosed and treated before it causes further damage.
Some of these back conditions include:
- Compression of the spinal cord due to spinal stenosis, herniated discs, tumors, or trauma
- Infections of the spine or surrounding tissues
- Inflammation of the spine or surrounding tissues
- Infection of the kidneys
- Kidney stones
- Rupture or dissection of the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body
- Heart attack
As you can see, the conditions that back pain can be an indicator of can be very serious and not always obvious. That’s why we recommend visiting Surepoint ER for any sudden, severe back pain or back pain that is accompanied by other symptoms that impede your quality of life. Our expert emergency care professionals can diagnose the root causes of your back pain and get you started on the appropriate course of treatment.
Treating Back Pain at Surepoint ER
When you come to Surepoint ER for back pain treatment, one of our emergency care physicians will ask questions and run tests to determine the cause of your back pain. If the pain and the underlying cause are severe enough, the physician may order other diagnostics to check for other serious complications.
The way your back pain will be treated depends on the cause of the pain and its severity. Because the causes of a back pain emergency can be so varied – from traumatic injury to a variety of other conditions that affect the spine, surrounding tissues, and other organs – we would have to run all of the proper tests to determine the source of the pain and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Our Tips For Preventing Back Pain Emergencies
The best way to prevent an emergency involving severe back pain is to take proper safety precautions in situations where spinal injuries or injuries to the tissues surrounding the spine may happen and to be proactive about maintaining your overall health, just as you would to prevent a heart attack or stroke.
Precautions you can take include:
- Being aware of dangerous situations while walking around – avoid uneven surfaces, slippery surfaces, loose floor coverings, ice, and any other dangerous surfaces that could cause a slip and fall accident.
- Use the proper safety equipment when playing sports or doing work or other activities that could result in injury.
- Follow all of the proper safety precautions when engaging in activities that could result in spinal injury, like sports or manual labor. If others who are nearby are being unsafe, stay clear of them and notify the appropriate personnel.
- Watch small children, elderly family and friends, and family and friends who have mobility issues closely. Be ready to help them if they look like they could fall or are about to put themselves into a dangerous situation.
- Wear your seatbelt when operating a motor vehicle, and regularly check to make sure all of the safety features, such as airbags and antilock brakes, are working properly.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet and avoid unhealthy foods
- Get regular exercise
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Keep your blood pressure under control
- Manage your cholesterol levels
- Manage stress in healthy ways, such as exercise, meditation, hobbies, or spending quality time with friends and family
- Limit use of alcohol
- Quit smoking
- Get regular health checkups and keep your physician informed if you notice anything unusual about your health – this could prevent an emergency before it becomes an emergency
Don’t Miss the Signs: Recognize Emergency Back Pain Symptoms and Act Fast!
Though most back pain issues are not emergencies, some of them certainly are. If your back pain is severe and sudden or accompanied by symptoms that should be a cause for concern, visit the nearest Surepoint ER location location now to get the care you need. We’re here to help 24/7 when you need it most.