Assessing and Treating Athletes With Extension-Oriented Low Back Pain (Recorded Webinar)

Course overview

Sports medicine professionals who evaluate and treat athletes with low back pain (LBP) should clearly identify a directional preference (flexion or extension) to complement the associated medical diagnosis. In the case of an extension-oriented problem, imaging should be obtained to allow for accurate classification of any bony lesion present. Staging of lumbar spondylolysis to include early, progressive, or terminal needs to be considered to best form a plan of care and return-to-sport target date. Rehabilitation efforts should include standard core stabilization, and an emphasis should be placed on identifying and correcting common movement impairments often not identified in routine LBP care. Finally, discharge testing should include clearing known movement-oriented risk factors to maximize the probability of a successful return to sport and minimization of reinjury.