imÂ·meÂ·diÂ·aÂ·cy. n. pl. imÂ·meÂ·diÂ·aÂ·cies. 1. The condition or quality of being immediate. 2. Lack of an intervening or mediating agency; directness: the immediacy of live television coverage. 3. Something immediate, as in importance.
Back pain is accompanied by weight loss, fever, chills or urinary symptoms. You develop sudden weakness, numbness or tingling in a leg. You develop numbness in the groin or rectum or difficulty controlling bladder or bowel function. You have had cancer previously and you develop persistent back pain.
Symptoms that indicate a serious cause for back pain include severe back pain that shoots down the leg, leg numbness, leg weakness, groin numbness, and difficulty urinating. Additional symptoms that indicate a serious condition include fainting, excessive sweating, high fever, abdominal pain, and chest pain.