and strength have returned. A gradual
improvement in pain and performance of functional activities predicts
a favorable prognosis.
Build up to maximum performance and function takes time.
Endurance has been shown to be
more protective from injury than
absolute strength. Emphasis should
be placed on endurance and not
absolute strength while rehabilitating
or preventing injury. Rehabilitation
programs which emphasize trunk
stabilization while the spine is in a
neutral position have also shown
better outcomes than programs which
load the spine throughout its range of
motion.
Overall, the vast majority of
adolescent back pain is managed
conservatively. It is rare to operate on
an adolescent spine. Utilizing a multimodal approach to injury will provide
the quickest, safest return to sports.
modalities such as TENS, dry needling
and kinesio taping techniques, have
improved recovery times and eased
acute inflammatory pain in recent
years. Even if the pain is quite severe,
acute bed rest for longer than 2 to 3
days is generally counterproductive.
The quicker the athlete begins engaging in tolerated activity, the more
effective the recovery generally is.
Anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers
and occasionally narcotics, are all
generally best when used short-term.
As the acute phase of the injury
subsides, sport-related activity can
slowly resume until the athlete is reconditioned and ready to resume his
or her sport. This usually takes place
within two to three weeks biologically. Over the six weeks following
the acute injury phase, it is important
to remember that although the athlete
may be feeling better and resuming
activity, there is still injured tissue that
needs controlled reintroduction to
its previous activity levels. The time
to return to sports is the most asked
question by adolescent athletes and
their parents. Unfortunately, there is
no universal test that measures the
progression. For most back pain,
athletes can generally return to play
once there is no pain with sport specific activity and full range of motion
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To learn more about spine-related
conditions treated at DFW Center for
Spinal Disorders or to consult with
a physician about treatment options
for back pain, contact us at 817-9164685.