Are you among the 8% of adults experiencing chronic back pain? We cannot tell you how much it may impact your life. Spinal conditions, such as osteoporosis, scoliosis, or deformities resulting from injuries or other factors, can lead to chronic pain.
Life doesn’t end here. There’s still a hope for relief and comfort. Spine surgeons continue to serve patients and help prevent discomfort from adversely affecting their everyday lives.
Here are some major signs indicating you should make an appointment with a professional spine surgeon without a second thought.
Let’s have a closer look at them…
1. Persistent Pain
One of the top signs is back or neck pain that endures for several weeks or even months. In some cases, this pain shows no improvement despite rest or over-the-counter medications. Suffering from non-stop back or neck pain? And now it’s impacting daily activities and the overall quality of life? If so, visit a certified spine surgeon at your earliest convenience.
2. Numbness or Tingling
In your limbs, if you notice numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation, these may suggest underlying nerve issues. Thanks to these issues, experiencing discomfort can be disconcerting. This makes it challenging to perform everyday tasks or enjoy activities that require dexterity.
3. Weakness or Poor Mobility
Are you continuously struggling with walking, balance, or effective hand use? If that’s the case, they all can lead to a serious concern. Oftentimes, this weakness restricts independence. Most people even experience falls or injuries, underscoring the need to consult a spine surgeon promptly.
4. Injury-Related Pain
After an accident or trauma, prolonged back or neck pain usually arises, and most individuals experience it. This pain may indicate more than just typical discomfort. It can haunt people, magnifying anxiety and negatively affecting emotional well-being long after the initial injury.
5. Failure of Conservative Treatments
Still, there’s no improvement after exhausting non-surgical options, such as physical therapy, medication, or injections. This occurrence can be incredibly frustrating. If you feel no progress, look for more definitive solutions for your ongoing pain, one of which is visiting a spine surgeon.
6. Loss of Control
Another warning sign—the loss of bladder or bowel control—demands immediate medical attention. This critical symptom can show significant underlying issues that pose serious health conditions. That’s why it’s advisable to be proactive rather than reactive. On time, visiting a spine surgeon may save you from life-changing health risks.
7. Spinal Deformities
There’s another condition that’s now common among people — the emergence of visible or developing spine deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis. If you’re experiencing any of these conditions, they may affect your physical appearance and cause discomfort and further health complications. Close monitoring and intervention might be needed to address these changes.
8. Unexplained Weight Loss
Sometimes, unexplained weight loss accompanies back pain, pinpointing an underlying condition that warrants thorough investigation. This frightening combination of symptoms can evoke concern and necessitate prompt medical evaluation.
