In Southern Nevada many people are active in athletic activities. Sometimes they injure their low back. Which activities tend to generate most of the low back injuries?
Injuries to the low back can happen with just about any sports related activity. Some sports, however, tend to subject the low back to stresses that can lead to injury more than other sports. Weight lifting, football, baseball, softball, and golf are examples of some sports where we tend to see low back injuries most often.
What symptoms are common to people with low back pain?
The symptoms of low back pain range from muscle stiffness and soreness, to actual spine pain, to discogenic pain. When a nerve is compressed, symptoms can involve pain or weakness in the lower extremities.
How common is low back pain?
Quite common. It is actually the number one occupational (work related) injury, and is the second leading cause of missed days of work. As we age, the back tends to be more susceptible to injury. Not all back problems cause back pain. Some disorders like herniated discs can cause pain in the legs.
How can you determine where the problem lies?
A good tool for the physician is a complete patient interview and medical history along with a thorough physical examination. However, diagnostic studies are also helpful in determining the athlete’s problem.
What type of diagnostic tests?
Diagnostic tests to find the cause of low back pain include x-rays, MRI, CT scan, nerve conduction studies, and bone scans.
Will an x-ray show nerve or disc disorders?
No, an x-ray will not show the nerves or the actual disc. X-rays do show the entire spine, however, and give the physician a sense of the integrity of the disc based on the amount of space between the discs. They are also helpful in determining any slippage of one spine on another (instability) and looking for arthritic changes. Therefore, x-rays are usually the first diagnostic tests utilized when evaluating back pain complaints.
How does an MRI differ from a plain x-ray?
An MRI gives the physician a better idea of what is going on with the actual discs, spinal canal, and nerves. It does not replace the need for plain x-rays because the MRI takes image slices of the back, whereas the x-ray gives the entire “lay of the land.”
Is there any radiation exposure to the athlete with an MRI?
No, MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. With this modality of imaging, magnetic waves are used to create computerized pictures of the body part in question by taking cross sectional views. Therefore, there is no exposure to radiation.
What is your feeling regarding manipulation of the spine?
The word manipulate stems from the latin words manus and pulus. Manus translates to “hand’ in English, and pulus translates “to the skillful use of.” Manipulate then means by definition: the skillfull use of hands. Using that definition there are many areas that would qualify in some way as manipulation. Massage therapists, physical therapists, chiropractic physicians, and osteopathic physicians all perform different levels of manipulation. In that regard, I am a big believer in manipulation of the spine.
What is the difference between chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation?
A chiropractic physician (D.C. – doctor of chiropractic) is skilled in the use of chiropractic manipulation. An osteopathic physician (DO – doctor of osteopathy) is trained in the use of osteopathic manipulation. A D.C. does not perform surgery, admit to hospitals, or prescribe medications. An osteopathic physician is trained in the use of manipulation, but also is able to perform surgery, admit to hospitals, and prescribe medications.
So would it be beneficial to an individual with low back pain to seek manipulation when they have low back pain?
Manipulation or adjustments of the spine can be helpful in some athletes. But there is no one form of therapy or treatment that works for everyone. That is why medicine is an art and not an exact science. What works for one athlete may not necessarily work for the next. The goal of the medical professional is to use any acceptable modalities that they possess in order to get the athlete back to a functional level as quickly and as safely as possible.
- Jason M. Tarno, D.O., is Board Certified and Fellowship trained in Sports Medicine. Dr. Tarno is an associate of Crovetti Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.
For further information call: 990-2290.
Or visit us at: www.CrovettiOrtho.com
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