An Inside Look Into Lower Back Injuries
Lower back pain is one of the major reasons people flood our emergency room in Waxahachie, TX. Nearly everybody suffers from lower back pain at one point or another in life. Lower back injuries come in different shapes and forms.
They can be caused by sports injuries or even normal day to day activities. Most of the time, lower back injuries will heal after a few weeks. However, some injuries will warrant a visit to our 24-hour emergency clinic.
About Back Injuries
Back pain typically causes problems anywhere from your neck to the coccyx (tailbone). To understand back injuries better, you have to see the different parts that constitute the back:
- The joints and bones of the spine (vertebrae)
- The discs that act as shock-absorbers and separate the vertebrae
- The ligaments and muscles that hold the spine together
Therefore, any strain or trauma to any part of the back can cause back pain. Back injuries can be caused by:
- Falling
- Extreme physical exertion
- Lifting heavy objects
- Crouching or bending repeatedly
- Improper posture
- Emotional stress
- Obesity or being overweight
- Being out of shape
- Sitting in one place for long
- Accidents
Types of Lower Back Injuries
A lower back injury can be determined by which part of the back is hurt. Common types of back injuries include:
- Sprain and strains – which occur when you overstretch and tear a ligament
- Herniated discs
- Fractured vertebrae
What Are Serious Back Injuries and How Do You Know?
At times, during sports or certain strenuous activities, severe back injuries can occur. In such events, do not hesitate to seek immediate medical assistance from our freestanding ER.
Severe lower back injuries that can land you in the nearest ER include:
- Fractures
- Wounds
- Extensive bruising
- Damage to your spinal cord or internal organs
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you could be having a severe back injury:
- Paralysis
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Blood in the urine
- Pins and needles or numbness on the legs, arms, feet or hands
How Does Your Nearest Emergency Room Doctor Figure It Out?
When you get to the ER near you, our doctor will look at your medical history. Then inquiries will be made concerning the following:
- Activity level
- Sleep habits
- Posture
- Injuries
Then our doctor will perform physical examinations to determine the extent of the injury. If necessary, CT scans, MRI scans, and X-rays can be done to pinpoint where the problem is located.
If you doubt the severity of your back injury, do not hesitate to consult with our doctor at Altus Emergency in Waxahachie.