Understanding Lumbar Spine Bone Stress Injuries
- sam17903
- 22 minutes ago
- 2 min read
While bone stress injuries in the lower back are uncommon in distance runners, they often occur in sports that involve lumbar extension (back bending) combined with rotation and/or compression, such as landing after a jump. These injuries are particularly prevalent among youth athletes, who are skeletally less mature and frequently experience rapid spikes in their training and competition loads.
Common Sports Affected
Some of the sports where we frequently see these injuries include:
Cricket (especially fast bowling)
Gymnastics
Swimming
Basketball
Volleyball
Additionally, we may observe these injuries in field athletes, such as soccer and football players.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Certain aspects of a physical examination can lead clinicians to suspect a lumbar bone stress injury. If a clinician identifies a potential injury, imaging techniques like CT scans or MRIs may be employed to assess the severity and stage of the injury. An area that is still metabolically active offers a greater chance for healing; however, if a fracture has already developed, the body's repair mechanisms may be compromised, leading to scarring with cartilage-like tissue. This can predispose the athlete to ongoing lower back issues.
If there is still a chance for healing, we typically recommend placing the individual in a brace or corset to limit back extension for 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the injury's severity. During this recovery period, it’s essential to maintain strength and cardiovascular fitness through activities that do not put the spine in an extended position.
Once healing is underway, we can safely implement a graded loading program to facilitate a return to sport.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Due to the conservative treatment required and the risk of long-term complications, it’s crucial for bone stress injuries to be identified and managed early. Athletes, particularly youth athletes, who participate in extension or rotation-based sports and experience one-sided lower back pain lasting more than a couple of weeks should seek assessment from an experienced physiotherapist or physician.
Get the Help You Need
If you're experiencing pain related to your sport and need a proper diagnosis and management plan, reach out to one of our experienced and caring team members at Club 360. We’re here to help you on your path to recovery and get you back to doing what you love!
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