Back Pain Forum - Football back problems

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What structures make up the spine? We review basic spine anatomy here...before identifying potential causes of back pain....

Q: Football back problems

asked by: egu20 on August 9th, 2006

New User

Last thursday I started having back problems. It was at pre-preseason for football and I actually didnt do any lifting that would put stress on the back that day. It started when we were just running through plays and it started hurting. It was just mild pain then. After that whenever I run(and for a while after I run), bend down, or sit down(sometimes) I have intense pain in my lower back. After a while it will go away and it will just be back to mild pain. I've been using a heating pad on it but it doesnt really help

i just found a pic online and circled the area where the pain is(square=intense pain/what I described, circled=very minor pain):

(if the picture isnt showing...The intense pain is in the lower left and the minor pain is in the lower right)

anybody know what this can be/how to treat it? Also, preseason starts next monday, so I am hoping for a solution that can still allow me to play football. Would wearing a back brace help?

Replies(3)

krisrench1

replied on August 9th, 2006

New User

Well my friend, it appears that you have a ruptured disc (otherwise known as a slipped disc, or protruding disc). This is one of the most common orthopedic injuries in existence. The good news is, it can usually be treated conservatively (physical therapy, pain killers, home exercises) in a matter of weeks. The bad news is that you are prone to have this happen continuously throughout the rest of your life. I am a director of rehabilitation and in my clinic we treat a lot of people with this injury. Your first step is to go see your primary physician and have him/her order some tests to confirm this suspicion that I have and then your doctor will probably order some physical therapy for you. If you have any more questions feel free to post them or contact me for more details and specifics.

egu20

replied on August 9th, 2006

New User

Thanks for the reply...But I have no pain at all in my leg or anything like that. That seems to be the most common sympton(i've been reading up on it after reading your post).

Also, i'm in a situation right now where I cant miss football practice. And if it is a ruptured disc as you say, would wearing a back brace while playing football make it okay to be doing that type of activity?

Thank you.

krisrench1

replied on August 10th, 2006

New User

Just because something is the most common symptom, does not mean that it is the only symptom...I still believe that you have a bulging disc or spondylolisthesis and I do believe that you should see a doctor and get some testing done...Until you have that done, I do not want to give you any recommendations...I hope that you are not in high school and are going to play through this injury....It could have dire consequences on the rest of your life....Just go to the doctor even if it is going to prove me wrong...Though I am certain the tests won't. Good luck

kris rench, ms, otr/l

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