When to go to the ER for back pain

Go to the ER right away if your back pain comes with **red-flag** symptoms like loss of bowel or bladder control, new leg weakness or numbness, trouble walking, fever, or pain after a major injury. Back pain that is sudden, severe, or paired with groin numbness, chest or abdominal pain, or signs of infection should be treated as urgent.

Go now

Seek emergency care if you have any of these:

• Loss of bladder or bowel control.
[3][6][10][1]
• Numbness in the groin, buttocks, or “saddle” area.
[2][6][10]
• New weakness, numbness, or trouble walking.

[10][1][2]
• Severe back pain after a fall, car crash, or other trauma.
[9][1][3]
• Back pain with fever, chills, or other infection signs.
[6][1][3]
• Back pain with severe abdominal pain or a throbbing belly sensation.
[1][6]

Usually not the ER

If your pain is mild to moderate, started without injury, and you do not have red flags, it is often more appropriate to call your primary care doctor or go to urgent care. Some sources note that urgent care can help rule out emergencies and guide short-term treatment when no emergency symptoms are present.

Simple rule

A good rule of thumb is: back pain plus nerve, bladder/bowel, fever, or trauma symptoms = ER. If the pain is severe but not accompanied by those warning signs, prompt outpatient care is usually the next step.

Watch for the following

• Pain that suddenly becomes much worse.
• Pain that shoots down one or both legs.
• Numbness or weakness that is new or worsening.
• Pain that does not improve with rest.
• Pain that lasts for weeks or keeps coming back.

Get help fast

If you have back pain with trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, leg weakness, or numbness in the groin area, do not wait to “see if it passes.” Those symptoms can point to a serious spine problem that needs urgent evaluation.