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Back Pain in the Young Athlete

  • Chapter
Injury in Pediatric and Adolescent Sports

Part of the book series: Contemporary Pediatric and Adolescent Sports Medicine ((PASM))

Abstract

Back pain is common in children and adolescents, especially those involved in sports or fitness training. Although acute injuries such as fractures and disc herniations occur, in young athletes, back pain is usually attributed to overuse and can be resolved with symptomatic treatment. Activity modification, structured physical therapy programs, and possibly a brace are effective treatments for most causes of LBP in young athletes. Physical therapy focusing on flexibility and core strengthening is critical to a successful return to activities. Although controversial, bracing in certain conditions is effective in healing and resolution of symptoms. Patients who fail conservative treatment may be candidates for corticosteroid injections or surgery, depending on the etiology.

Practitioners with knowledge of the most common etiologies of back pain in young athletes can make a correct diagnosis by obtaining a detailed history, performing a focused physical exam, and utilizing appropriate imaging. It is important to educate the patient and family that most conditions causing back pain in young athletes are not dangerous and that playing sports, although painful, is generally safe.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Children’s Hospital Boston, Boston, MA, USA

    Patrick M. Riley Jr MD

  2. Division of Sports Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Lyle J. Micheli MD

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  1. Patrick M. Riley Jr MD
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  2. Lyle J. Micheli MD
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Correspondence to Patrick M. Riley Jr MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA

    Dennis Caine

  2. McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    Laura Purcell

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Riley, P.M., Micheli, L.J. (2016). Back Pain in the Young Athlete. In: Caine, D., Purcell, L. (eds) Injury in Pediatric and Adolescent Sports. Contemporary Pediatric and Adolescent Sports Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18141-7_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18141-7_10

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