Don't take backache lightly

Back pain is the second most common ailment after common cold. Though back pain generally gets better within three months without treatment, there are symptoms which indicate the possibility of serious underlying spinal pathology and the need to be immediately evaluated by a doctor. One should be aware of these red flags so that any serious underlying problem can be detected to ensure the best possible results.

a)Back pain should not last for more than six weeks. If it doesn't subside within this period, get a check up done.

b)Pain radiating to one or both legs and reaching below the knee suggests a pressure on the nerves which is generally due to a disc either bulging or protruding back from its position. In elderly, it is due to narrowing of the canal in which the spinal cord lies. Sometimes the radiation of the pain can be due to tumour, infection or other diseases affecting the nerves like diabetes etc.

c)Symptoms like fever, weight loss, loss of appetite and malaise suggests an infection. Tuberculosis of the spine has become quite common due to the general reduced imunity of the society. Significant associated weight loss without fever can be manifestation of a cancerous tumour.

d)Morning stiffness with or without pain in other joints of the body suggests an inflammatory condition like anklosing spondylitis or rheumatoid arthritis. As opposed to mechanical pain, which gets better with rest and increases with activity. Inflammatory pain increases after rest and gets better with some acitivity.

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