Don't Ignore the Ache: 5 Signs Your Back Pain Requires a Neurosurgeon

Back pain after a long day in the yard or a tough workout usually isn’t cause for alarm. A little rest and time may be all you need to start feeling like yourself again, but what if the pain doesn’t go away? 

Or what if it starts shooting down your leg or causing numbness? 

Those symptoms may mean your back pain involves more than sore muscles. Problems affecting your spinal discs, spinal cord, or nerves sometimes require specialized care.  

Our team of expert providers at Link Integrated Healthcare evaluates back pain from neurological and spinal perspectives and offers treatments ranging from conservative and interventional pain management to minimally invasive spine surgery. 

Below, we share five signs it’s time to see a neurosurgeon for your back pain.

1. Your back pain travels into your leg

Back pain that stays in your lower back is one thing, but pain that shoots or burns through your buttock and down your leg can point to an irritated or compressed spinal nerve.

This can happen with sciatica, which occurs when your sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed. A herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or other changes in your spine can contribute to this type of pain.

Depending on the nerve involved, you might experience pain that travels from your lower back into your:

• Buttock
• Hip
• Thigh
• Calf
• Foot

Radiating pain doesn’t automatically mean you need surgery, but it does mean it’s worth finding out whether a spinal nerve is involved.

2. You’re experiencing numbness or tingling

That pins-and-needles sensation (officially called paresthesia) in your leg or foot isn’t something to ignore when it accompanies back pain. Numbness and tingling can develop when pressure on a spinal nerve interferes with the signals traveling between your brain, spinal cord, and the rest of your body.

3. You’re developing muscle weakness

Pain can make you feel like you don’t want to move, but true muscle weakness is different. You may suddenly have difficulty lifting the front of your foot, climbing stairs, or even just standing on your toes. You might also notice that one leg feels noticeably weaker than the other.

Weakness can indicate that nerve compression is affecting the signals that control your muscles. 

Prolonged or severe nerve compression can potentially lead to lasting neurological problems, so new (or worsening) weakness should be evaluated by our team right away.

4. Your pain isn’t improving with conservative treatment

Many cases of back pain improve with nonsurgical care. Depending on what’s causing your symptoms, your initial treatment may include medications, physical therapy, activity modifications, or interventional pain management.

That said, if you’ve followed your treatment plan and still have significant pain weeks or months later, it may be time for a closer look at your spine.

A neurosurgical evaluation doesn’t automatically mean you're signing up for an operation. Instead, it gives our team of neurosurgeons an opportunity to determine why your pain isn’t improving and whether another treatment could address the underlying problem more effectively.

5. You develop changes in your bladder or bowel control

Some back pain symptoms shouldn’t wait for a routine appointment. Rarely, severe compression of the nerves at the bottom of your spinal canal can cause cauda equina syndrome. This is a medical emergency that can lead to permanent neurological problems without prompt treatment.

Seek emergency medical care if back pain occurs along with:

• New loss of bladder or bowel control
• Difficulty starting or controlling urination
• Numbness around your inner thighs, buttocks, or genital area (sometimes called saddle anesthesia)
• Severe or rapidly worsening weakness in your legs

These symptoms require immediate medical evaluation, so don’t wait to schedule a standard office visit.

What happens when you see a neurosurgeon for back pain?

Seeing a neurosurgeon doesn’t mean you’ve reached the end of the road or that surgery is inevitable. Instead, we start your evaluation by figuring out what’s actually causing your symptoms. We review your medical history, ask about your pain and neurological symptoms, and perform a physical and neurological examination.

We may also use imaging, such as an MRI, to look for structural problems like a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or other conditions that could be putting pressure on your nerves. Depending on your symptoms, we may recommend an EMG (electromyogram) to check if any nerves are dysfunctional.

From there, we determine the most appropriate treatment. Depending on your diagnosis, that could mean continuing conservative treatment, exploring interventional pain management, or considering minimally invasive spine surgery.

Don’t wait for back pain to take over your life

If your back pain isn't improving or neurological symptoms are beginning to interfere with your daily life, call one of our offices — Oxnard, Simi Valley, Northridge, Camarillo, or Santa Barbara, California  — or request an appointment online to schedule an evaluation.