Red Flags: When to seek urgent help
Call 999 or go to A&E urgently if:
- • sudden weakness in an arm/leg, face droop, speech problems
- • major trauma (fall/accident) with severe pain or deformity
- • suspected fracture/dislocation
- • severe pain with chest pain, breathlessness, or collapse
Seek urgent same-day medical advice if you have back pain with:
- • new problems controlling bladder or bowel function
- • numbness around the genitals/inner thighs (“saddle” area)
- • rapidly worsening weakness in the legs
- • fever, severe night sweats, unexplained weight loss
- • history of cancer, steroid use, or immunosuppression with new severe symptoms