Browse categories and answer follow-up questions to refine your symptom profile.
Triage and immediate stabilization
Immediate risk screen
If hemodynamic instability, resuscitation bay
If hypotension or syncope, ruptured AAA consideration
If fever and toxicity, spinal infection consideration
If severe or progressive neurologic deficit, emergent spine pathway
If saddle anesthesia or urinary retention, cauda equina pathway
If recent major trauma, spinal fracture pathway
If anticoagulation with trauma, spinal epidural hematoma consideration
If severe constant pain unrelenting at rest, serious pathology consideration
If night pain with systemic symptoms, malignancy or infection consideration
Red flags and cannot miss diagnoses
Red flag clusters
Cauda equina syndrome red flags
Urinary retention or overflow incontinence
New fecal incontinence
Saddle anesthesia
Bilateral sciatica
Progressive motor weakness in legs
Spinal infection red flags
Fever or rigors
Recent bacteremia or skin infection
Immunosuppression
Injection drug use
Recent spinal procedure
Malignancy red flags
Known cancer history
Unexplained weight loss
Persistent pain despite conservative care
Age associated risk increase
Fracture red flags
Major trauma
Minor trauma with osteoporosis risk
Chronic systemic glucocorticoids
Vascular and retroperitoneal red flags
Abdominal pain or pulsatile mass
Syncope or shock
Anticoagulation with flank or back pain
Initial management targets
Early shared plan
Benign course framing for uncomplicated mechanical pain
Most episodes improve within days to weeks
Imaging rarely changes management without red flags
Functional target
Walking and light activity as tolerated
Avoid prolonged bed rest
Analgesia pathway selection
Nonopioid first-line
Opioid reserved only if severe refractory pain
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.