Warning Signs to Watch For
Most Back Pain Is Not Dangerous
First, some reassuring facts.
A large-scale review found that among patients who visited a hospital for low back pain, fewer than 5% had a serious underlying cause (Galliker 2019, American Journal of Medicine).
| Serious Cause | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Vertebral fracture (broken bone in the spine) | 0–7.2% |
| Cancer metastasis (cancer spread to the spine) | 0–2.1% |
| Spinal infection (e.g., osteomyelitis, discitis) | 0–1.9% |
| Cauda equina syndrome (compressed nerve bundle) | 0.1–1.9% |
In other words, out of 100 people who see a doctor for low back pain, more than 95 do not have a life-threatening condition.
However, for the remaining few, early detection can change lives. That's why it's important to know the warning signs below.