Backache: Symptoms

What other symptoms might occur with backache?

Backache may accompany other symptoms that vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Symptoms that frequently affect the back may also involve other body systems.

Musculoskeletal symptoms that may occur along with backache

Backache may accompany other symptoms affecting the musculoskeletal system including:

• Buttock or hip pain
• Curvature of the spine
• “Foot drop” (feeling of the foot slapping the ground; caused by leg weakness)
• Heel pain
• Muscle spasm
• Muscle weakness
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Shoulder pain
• Stiffness in the spine
• Swelling in the shoulder, knee, or ankle joints

Neurologic symptoms that may occur along with backache

Backache may accompany symptoms affecting the nervous system including:

• Balance problems
• Headache, particularly in the back of the head
• Nerve problems that cause pain, numbness or tingling in an arm, buttock, shoulder or leg

Other symptoms that may occur along with backache

Backache may accompany symptoms related to other body systems including:

• Eye inflammations or uveitis
• Loss of appetite
• Low-grade fever

Symptoms that might indicate a serious condition

In some cases, backache may occur with other symptoms that might indicate a serious condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care if you, or someone you are with, have backache along with other serious symptoms including:

• Abnormal sensations, numbness, or weakness on one side of the body
• Impaired balance and coordination
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Loss of sensation in a limb or limbs
• Muscle weakness in the arms or legs (persistent)
• Neck pain
• Weakness (loss of strength)