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Back Problems and Injuries - 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.

Step One

Step Two

Step Three

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?


	Yes

Do you have new weakness in both legs?


	Yes

Do you have new weakness in one leg?


	Yes

Is ongoing weakness in one leg getting worse?


	Yes

Do you have back pain and leg weakness that causes you to limp?


	Yes

Have you had ongoing leg weakness for longer than 1 week?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Are you unable to urinate?


	Yes

Do you have blood in your urine?


	Yes

Are you having any trouble urinating?


	Yes

Are you having trouble having a bowel movement?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have new numbness or tingling in both legs?


	Yes

Do you have new numbness or tingling around the anus or in the genital area?


	Yes

Do you have new numbness or tingling in 1 buttock or 1 leg?


	Yes

Is numbness or tingling getting worse?


	Yes

Is numbness or tingling affecting a larger area?


	Yes

Have you had numbness or tingling that comes and goes without other symptoms for the past 24 hours?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have severe pain?


	Yes

Do you have moderate pain?


	Yes

Do you have new back or flank pain and a fever?


	Yes

Do you have pain and a rash of small, itchy blisters that has spread in a band from your back around your body?


	Yes

Have you had pain and symptoms of sciatica for longer than 4 hours?


	Yes

Have you had mild pain for longer than 48 hours after an injury?


	Yes

Has back pain prevented you from participating in your daily activities, such as school or work, for longer than 48 hours after an injury?


	Yes

Do you have pain that comes and goes and symptoms of sciatica that have not improved after 2 to 3 days of home treatment?


	Yes

Do you have mild to moderate pain without other symptoms that has not improved after 2 to 3 days of home treatment?


	Yes

Do you have chronic back problems that are slowly getting worse?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Have you had severe pain for 4 hours or longer?


	Yes

Is the skin over your tailbone area cut, scraped, or punctured?


	Yes

Have you had rectal bleeding or are you unable to have a bowel movement?


	Yes

Have you had moderate pain for 12 hours or longer?


	Yes

Have you had tailbone mild pain for more than 1 week that has not improved with home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Other Symptoms to Watch For

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

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: August 28, 2007

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.