On a semi regular basis we see patients who have gone to A&E with their back pain before coming to see us at Leyton Osteopaths. Invariably they regret the trip because they are sent home with some pain killers, having waited for 3-7 hours.
The most common ailments that cause people to make the trip to A&E are muscle spasms and sciatica. Both of these conditions can be horrendously painful but are not best treated in an emergency department.
When should you go to A&E with back pain?
ALMOST NEVER - if back pain and / or sciatica are your only symptoms.
The one exception being, if you think there’s a chance that you have a broken bone from, say, a trauma or fall.
However, if you are experiencing back pain or sciatica in addition to any of the following symptoms, a trip to A&E is warranted.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control - unexplained difficulty peeing, incontinence, or an inability to feel when you need to go. An indication of Cauda Equina Syndrome.
- Numbness or tingling around your genitals - sometimes called ‘saddle anaesthesia’. Another indication of Cauda Equina Syndrome.
- Unexplained chest pain or difficulty breathing - sometimes heart attacks can be felt in the back as well as the chest, arm and jaw.
- Weakness or sudden loss of coordination in your legs could indicate a spinal cord issue.
- Unexplained weight loss, fever, or night sweats - along with persistent back pain could indicate an infection or something more serious. A spinal infection is considered a medical emergency because it can cause permanent nerve damage if not addressed quickly.
Cauda Equina Syndrome is a rare but serious condition where nerves at the lower end of the spinal cord become compressed. This compression can lead to severe and permanent damage if not treated quickly (like lifelong incontinence, which is why it is considered a medical emergency) Treatment requires emergency surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerves, and the sooner the better.
What to do instead
Osteopaths are well placed to deal with back problems that do not require a trip to A&E. If you are in severe pain we will adapt the treatment accordingly and can usually help to relieve, or at least reduce the pain to some degree. But the most important step is to help you understand what exactly is happening, why it is happening and give you a plan for recovery.
A typical recovery plan involves a set of rehabilitation exercises to do at home, hands on treatment to desensitise the injury and some lifestyle protocols to speed up the recovery process. With most patients, when they have improved sufficiently, we will also introduce measures to prevent future occurrences.
If you have any doubts as to whether we can help or if you need a hospital visit just give us a call on 02030 961 900 and we’d be happy to discuss it.