Best Practice Case Studies-Low Back Pain in the Adult Athlete

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The lecture, part of the National Fellow Online Lecture Series, was introduced by Robbie Bowers and featured Dr. Ellen Casey, focusing on low back pain in athletes. Dr. Casey, a team physician with USA Gymnastics and associate professor at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, explored the anatomy, biomechanics, prevalence, and risk factors of low back pain among athletes, highlighting that up to 80% of the general population will experience back pain. Dr. Casey emphasized the importance of a thorough history and physical exam to identify pain generators and tailor treatment appropriately, especially noting that mechanical low back pain is prevalent in athletes, with conditions such as disc herniations and facet joint pain common.<br /><br />Dr. Casey outlined the significant role of the kinetic chain in sports medicine, emphasizing proximal stability for successful athletic performance. Critical approaches to diagnosing included evaluating pain location, aggravating and alleviating factors, and employing systematic physical examinations to differentiate various causes, such as radiculopathy or sacroiliac joint issues.<br /><br />The seminar also discussed the challenges in relying solely on imaging, given that MRI findings can show age-related changes that may not correlate with symptoms. The natural recovery of low back pain and the role of targeted rehabilitation strategies like mechanical diagnosis and therapy were highlighted. Dr. Casey presented a case study of a college football player with S1 radiculopathy, illustrating practical application and treatment pathways, including the use of epidural steroid injections.<br /><br />The seminar concluded with a reminder of the upcoming March 23rd lecture on patellar and quadriceps tendinopathy by Dr. Ken Moutner.

Meta Tag

Edition 3rd Edition

Related Case 3rd Edition, CASE 55

Topic Spine

Keywords

3rd Edition, CASE 55

3rd Edition

Spine

low back pain

athletes

Dr. Ellen Casey

biomechanics

risk factors

kinetic chain

diagnosis

rehabilitation

imaging challenges

S1 radiculopathy