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When to get immediate medical advice

You should contact a GP or NHS 111 immediately if you have back pain and:

• numbness or tingling around your genitals or buttocks/inner thighs
• loss of bladder or bowel control or difficulty urinating, leaking of urine or bowel movements.
• Changes in sexual function, including loss of sensation during intercourse, inability to achieve an erection or ejaculate
• sudden, significant weakness in your arms or legs
• lack of coordination or heaviness to your arms and legs that is affecting your walking
• severe arm pain with accompanying tingling or numbness
• chest pain
• a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
• a swelling or a deformity in your back
• it does not improve with or at rest or is worse at night
• it started after a serious accident, such as after a car accident

These problems could be a sign of something more serious and need to be checked urgently.

Click here to find out more about the warning signs of cauda equina