Some of the most serious conditions that can lead to back pain include spinal infection, cancer, and a problem known as cauda equina syndrome, in which compressed nerve roots cut off sensation and movement.
Some symptoms that occur alongside back pain are warnings, or “red flags,” that may indicate to your healthcare provider you have a underlying medical condition. Recognizing these red flags may help lead the way to a timely diagnosis and treatment.
Below are a few of the most common red flags healthcare providers generally check for during a medical evaluation.
Back Pain Red Flag Signs and Symptoms
Age (being younger than 18 or older than 50)Fever or chillsRecent illness or surgeryTraumaHistory of cancerUnexplained weight lossNight pain or pain at restIncontinenceSaddle anesthesia (loss of feeling in the buttocks and inner thighs)Weak, numb, or painful leg muscles
Some red flags may occur together to indicate an underlying condition. Fever, chills, and recent illness may point to a spinal infection, for example. Signs of cancer include unexplained weight loss and experiencing pain at night or at rest. Incontinence, numbness or weakness in the legs, and loss of feeling in the buttocks and inner thighs are red flags that show up in cauda equina syndrome.
Back pain red flags may indicate other medical conditions beyond infection and cancer.
If you are experiencing severe pain, especially at night, or you recently lost weight without trying, or if your pain gets worse when you lie on your back, these red flags may be a sign of a spinal tumor or cancer, especially in those younger than 18.
If you are older than 50, new back pain may signal a number of potential conditions, including a tumor or spinal infection. New back pain may also indicate something as common as kidney stones or as serious as an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a life-threatening weakness in the major vessel that supplies blood to your legs.
If your healthcare provider expresses concern about cancer at your appointment, they may refer you to another specialist for further testing.
Common symptoms of spinal infection include, but are not limited to, fever, chills, stiff neck, and/or unexplained weight loss.
Fever, chills, or recent illness with low back pain may be a sign of a spinal epidural abscess, an infection between the outer covering of the spinal cord or nerve roots and the bones surrounding it.
Spinal epidural abscesses can occur in people who have boils, infections in the bloodstream or bones of the spine, and those who have recently had back surgery. People who use intravenous drugs are also at increased risk for spinal epidural abscess.
A recent lumbar puncture during surgery or an epidural injection to help with back pain, for example, can also increase risk of an infection or epidural hematoma (pooling of blood on the outer covering of the brain or spinal cord and nerve roots).
With a spinal infection, it is imperative to get an accurate diagnosis as quickly as you can.
Treatment focuses on eliminating the infection, relieving pain, improving nutrition, maintaining spinal stability, and preserving and restoring the functioning of your nervous system.
However, even minor trauma can be cause for concern, particularly if you are older than 50 or have (or are at risk for) osteopenia, osteoporosis, cancer, or another condition that weakens the bones. Reaching, twisting, or falling from standing height are examples of minor trauma that may damage the spine.
If you are using anticoagulant medication, trauma can also result in an epidural hematoma. If this is the case, you may have back pain, weakness, or tingling in your arms or legs.
Back pain that worsens over several months, unexplained weight loss, and pain at night or at rest may also indicate cancer.
Some types of cancers are especially likely to put pressure on the spine. Spinal cord compression is a common complication of prostate, breast, and lung cancers. Patients with metastatic bone cancer may also develop epidural spinal compression.
This is particularly true if your night or resting back pain occurs alongside another symptom. For example, pain at night and recent weight loss, especially in adolescents, are red flags for cancer and warrant a visit to your healthcare provider.
In this syndrome, compressed nerve roots in the lumbar spine cut off sensation and movement in the buttocks and inner thighs (known as saddle anesthesia). Loss of feeling and paralysis can become permanent without quick treatment.
When accompanied by new and severe back pain, saddle anesthesia is often associated with cauda equina syndrome.
Other common symptoms of cauda equina include being unable to empty your bladder completely, increased frequency of urination, and overflow incontinence.
Patients with this condition also frequently report sexual dysfunction and leg weakness or sciatica, especially if these symptoms are severe or keep getting worse.
If you experience back pain often and the strength of your lower limbs has become weaker, it may be a sign of neurological damage.
It’s best to speak with your healthcare provider about any findings, even if the screening was performed by your physical therapist, personal trainer, or holistic practitioner.
Your healthcare provider will be able to tell you whether your symptoms are related to another medical condition and help you treat and manage your back pain.
