For some point in their lives, most people suffer from neck pain or back pain but not always urgent or chronic. Tips of spinal pain can typically also be treated in your home with an anti-inflammatory over-the-counter (OTC) or heat and ice relievers as suggested by neck and back doctors. Rarely a spinal operation may be needed urgently but most operations are optional in various cases. Nonetheless, often neck or back pain requires medical attention urgently.
First a study of the red flag signs associated with the spine:
Emergency Medical Treatment for Serious Spinal Disorders
- Syndrome of Cauda Equina
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is rare and almost always needs urgent operation. This spine condition includes a bunch of nerves developed in the lower back (lumbar spine) at the end of the spinal cord. The cauda equina nerves provide the bowels, bladder and legs with sensation and work that will need neck and spine doctor.
CES can happen by some tension in the lumbar spine of these nerves. Lumbar (low back) disksherniated disc in low back or lumbar area, spinal tumor, infection and spinal fracture may lead to CES. Neck and back doctors find out some significant potential CES signs that include:
- Low pain in the leg.
- Sensation loss in one or both legs and/or functions
- Bladder or bowel functioning problems or failure
- Anesthesia of the saddle
You will seek medical attention if you encounter any of these symptoms.
- Myelopathy
Myelopathy happens due to inflammation of the spinal cord both in the neck and back (cervical myelopathy). Anything compressing the spinal cord will lead to myelopathy. A herniated disc, fracture, cancer and spinal tumor may be causing myelopathy or a severe spinal injury. Myelopathy signs are:
- Loss of control of the intestine and bladder
- Pain in the neck and mid back, low back, worsening or crippling back pain
- Fatigue, discomfort, stomach or tingling of arm and/or leg
- Balancing or walking difficulty
Since compression of the spinal cord remains untreated, myelopathy is a chronic disease, usually leading to worse symptoms or severity over time. In fact, the risk of acute spinal cord injury following a stroke is likely to be increased among individuals with myelopathy and spinal cord compression.
- Herniated Disc
Herniated disks — also known as disks that have been ruptured-occur when the gel-like core of one and more disks penetrate the outer wall of the disc and spill out through the spinal canal or base of the surrounding spinal nervous system. Degenerative changes that can be due to aging and/or every day wear on the columns can lead to herniated disks. An excessive stress of the spine will increase the risk of disc damage by inappropriate lifting methods, obesity and poor posture. In the case of a car accident, damage to sports or acts of aggression excessive forces can also cause or lead to a disturbance.
Get experienced neck and spine doctor near you in OKC by visiting Neuroscience Specialist. We can help alleviate your pain.
**Disclaimer- Information presented here is not intended to be qualified medical advice. Nothing expressed herein creates a doctor-patient relationship.