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Symptoms to check
Click the plus sign to see a list of problems that could be a sign you may need to be checked urgently
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
![Call 111 when it's less urgent than 999](https://www.chcpmsk.org.uk/assets/components/icons/nhs-111-9e607b77720cde745832cb4fca63b0d689f9dc6bf5fb829ececb8f96af310b31.png)
Immediate medical advice is available by contacting NHS 111