Are you feeling sidelined because of persistent back pain after a sports injury? Athletes of all levels face unique challenges when recovering from back and spine trauma. Whether you’re a competitor or a weekend warrior, understanding your treatment options can help.
Here’s more from Grigory Goldberg, MD, a leading spine surgeon in New Jersey.
Spine Surgeon in New Jersey Explains Sports-Related Back Injuries
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, more than 3.5 million children ages 14 and younger hurt themselves during sports or recreation each year. A review published in Sports Medicine puts the lifetime prevalence of low back pain in adult athletes between 1% and 94%.
Common sports-related back injuries include:
- Herniated discs rupture between your vertebrae, pressing on your spinal nerves. Forward bending and twisting at L4 to L5 is a common cause.
- Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis commonly affect younger athletes who hyperextend. Spondylolysis is a stress fracture, while spondylolisthesis involves one vertebra sliding over another.
- Muscle strains and ligament sprains are soft tissue injuries, often from sudden movements, twists, or push-pull strains.
- Spinal fractures happen in high-impact contact sports, leading to compression or burst fractures.
Repetitive movements, improper technique, and overexertion also irritate the spinal cord. At any age, sports injury patterns vary significantly. Your sports injury surgeon must develop a custom treatment plan.
When Sports-Related Back Pain Requires Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Interventions
According to the Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, over 30% of athletes report low back pain eventually. Playing through this pain worsens the condition, so seek an evaluation from an orthopedic spine treatment for athletes specialist when you experience:
- Progressively worsening pain beyond two months
- Radiating pain down your legs
- Pain that causes weakness
- Difficulty maintaining your balance
- Severe pain or bruising that doesn’t improve after a few days
Your spine surgeon can use physical examinations, medical history, and imaging tests for an accurate diagnosis.
Conservative Sports-Related Back Injury Care Options
Sports-related back injuries may heal with non-surgical treatments. Your sports injury orthopedic surgeon typically recommends conservative athletic back pain management first. Examples include:
- Structured physical therapy and rehabilitation programs, like core-strengthening planks, side planks, and reverse bridges, support your spine during athletic activities.
- Anti-inflammatory medications reduce swelling, helping you to participate more effectively in rehabilitation.
- Back bracing combines well with activity restrictions to heal stress fractures.
- Targeted corticosteroid injections may help with pain from spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and facet joint syndrome.
Orthopedic rehabilitation for sports injuries allows many athletes to return to their activities without surgery. However, there are times when spine surgery for athletic injuries becomes essential. Fortunately, modern surgical techniques prioritize minimally invasive approaches, reducing recovery time and surgical complications.
Advanced Surgical Interventions for Athletic Injuries
According to a Professional Athlete Spine Initiative study, 81% of surgically treated elite professional athletes returned to play for an average of 3.3 additional years after a sports injury. Some of the most common surgeries involve microdiscectomy and endoscopic surgery for herniated discs, spinal fusion, and direct pars repair.
Returning to athletic activity requires careful planning and patience. A spine specialist in New Jersey, like Grigory Goldberg, MD, will use a combination of advanced orthopedics and sports medicine to help you achieve a full range of motion without pain and complete sport-specific training exercises. You can also aim for time-based healing benchmarks (typically four to six weeks for spondylolysis, six to 12 weeks for disc surgery, and up to one year for fusion).
Either way, sports-related back injuries don’t have to end your athletic career.
Your Go-To Spine Specialist in New Jersey: Grigory Goldberg, MD
With over 16 years of experience in minimally invasive and robotic spine surgery, Dr. Grigory Goldberg provides specialized care as an orthopedic spine specialist for spinal fractures and all types of sports-related spine trauma. Contact Grigory Goldberg, MD, at (844) 373-2772 (Clifton) or (732) 908-8585 (Toms River) for sports injury treatment in New Jersey. Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection), and same-day appointments may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Injuries
Here’s what people want to know about treating spine-related sports injuries.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Sports Injury?
After sports injuries, follow the PRICE principle: protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
When Should You See a Sports Injury Surgeon?
You should see a surgeon if you experience severe pain, worsening symptoms, difficulty walking, or bladder or bowel changes.
What Treatment Options Do Sports Injury Orthopedic Surgeons Recommend for Sports Injuries?
Your orthopedic specialist may recommend surgical and non-surgical treatment options. The treatment plan takes into account your specific condition and athletic goals.
