Sometimes, back pain goes away on its own without medical treatment. However, this is not a reality for everyone. In many cases, back pain requires treatment from a specialist doctor for long-term relief.
To get specialized treatment for your back pain, ask your primary care doctor for a referral to an orthopedic doctor specializing in treating problems of the spine. Here are a few signs you need to see a spine doctor.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than three months. This is a very long time to be experiencing pain and other symptoms without seeking specialized treatment. In the normal course of things, acute back pain eventually gets better with time, but if your symptoms only get worse, there may be an underlying cause that needs to be addressed. Chronic back pain that only gets worse needs to be evaluated by a spine doctor, especially if earlier methods of treatment such as chiropractic treatment and physical therapy have failed to work.
Numbness and Tingling
Back pain accompanied by numbness and tingling that runs from the lower back to the buttocks and down into the legs and feet may be due to a pinched nerve that is caused by a herniated disc. Weakness is another symptom to watch out for. Ultimately, these symptoms indicate pressure on the nerves or spine.
Bowel and Bladder Issues
Having sudden bowel and bladder issues along with back pain is often due to nerve compression or damage caused by a herniated disc. Bowel and bladder issues include difficulty urinating or trouble holding urine in and loss of bowel function. The nerves at the end of the spinal cord send messages to and from the bladder and bowel, and long term compression of the nerves can cause irreversible damage.
A Decrease in Quality of Life
Pain during movement can make even the smallest things difficult to do. If the pain restricts you from doing the most basic things and has affected your performance at work and prevents you from engaging in activities that make you happy, make an appointment with a spine specialist. A professional can provide an accurate diagnosis and create a customized treatment plan to get you back to normal.
Orthopedic Surgeon Specializing in Spine Care in Plantation, FL
For back problems have severely impacted your life, put your trust in an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in spine care. Baylis and Brown Orthopedics is a leader in spinal care and sports injury treatment in Plantation, Florida. Dr. Christopher Brown is board-certified and fellowship-trained in spine surgery and is our spinal care specialist. Dr. Brown is committed to providing each patient with a highly individualized treatment plan to relieve pain and improve function, which is necessary for a return to normal.
If you have questions or if you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Brown, call our clinic at (954) 476-8800 or use our online request form. We look forward to serving you.
