Do You Have Sports-Related Back Pain? Know When to Call a Doctor

Whenever you step out onto the playing field or into the gym, you run the risk of suffering some sort of injury. Back injuries are among the most common, whether you’re a committed and competitive athlete or a weekend warrior.

According to spine health expert Kush Goyal, MD, about 90% of these acute back injuries will get better on their own, typically in about three months. However, sometimes back injuries can be a bit more serious and require a doctor’s care.

Common sports-related back injuries

Sports-related back and spine injuries vary somewhat with the sport, but a few of the most common include:

1. Cervical (neck) injuries. Some injuries occur more often in certain sports. For example, in football, we commonly see ‘stingers,’ which is a type of neck injury. These injuries manifest as transient unilateral numbness or tingling in the shoulder due to a stretching or compressing of the cervical nerve roots.

When a player suffers a “stinger” on the field, it should resolve very quickly. If not, the athlete needs immediate medical attention and further evaluation, Dr. Gladden warns.

2. Lumbar (lower back) sprains and strains. You could get one of these injuries in the gym if you try to lift too much weight or use improper technique when lifting.

Acute injuries like lower back sprains and strains typically resolve on their own. Often, you don’t need a doctor to evaluate them further.

“Treatment for minor lower back pain is generally self-directed. For these types of injuries, you can take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naprosyn,” says Dr. Goyal.

3. Fractures and other injuries to the spine’s supporting structures. In sports that involve repetitive extension movements, such as volleyball, gymnastics, diving, cheerleading and dancing, spine stress fractures are fairly common.

“Also called pars fractures or spondylolysis, these occur when there is a crack in the bony rear portion of the spinal column,” says Dr. Goyal. “Excessive and repeated strain to the area of the spinal column known as the pars interarticularis is to blame. This type of injury causes lower back pain.”

Doctors diagnose spine stress fractures by reviewing an x-ray or CAT scan and usually treat the injuries with a back brace and rest. However, in certain instances these injuries require more aggressive treatment.

Back injury red flags and warning signs

Let’s say you’ve injured yourself playing a weekend game of tackle football, or hurt your back when doing back squats at the gym. Now you’re in pain and don’t know whether you should see a doctor or just take some over-the-counter pain medication and wait it out.

If you experience any of these warning signs, you should probably get to a doctor for further evaluation:

• Your back pain gets progressively worse.
• The pain radiates to your leg(s) or causes weakness.
• You experience bladder or bowel changes.
• Your pain affects your balance or walking.
• Your pain persists for more than two months.

“One of the worst things you can do if you have an acute back injury, stay in bed and remain inactive,” he says.

The muscles and supporting structures of the back weaken when you remain in bed for days on end. This can lead to a vicious cycle of continued back pain.

Back injury prevention

There are ways to reduce your risk of suffering a serious back injury. Try these suggestions:

• Strengthen your core.
• Use proper form and technique when lifting or performing.
• Warm up and stretch.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Maintain ideal body weight.

Participating in sports is a great way to stay fit and emotionally healthy, regardless of age. Don’t let a back injury keep you out of the game.