title: Back injuries in the athlete.
abstract: In summary, the approach to the athlete with low back pain must include an emphasis on aggressive nonoperative intervention, education, and rehabilitation. A diligent attempt must be made to establish a correct diagnosis, though this may be difficult at first. A firm diagnosis allows individualized treatment that meets the strenuous needs of the athlete. Work-up should be standardized to avoid missing what will appear obvious in retrospect. Unlike most of the general patient population, athletes are unlikely to tolerate a long period of "wait and see" therapy. It is necessary to have qualified allied health personnel who can perform a full spectrum to have qualified allied health personnel who can perform a full spectrum of exercise, mobilization, and modality therapies. Return to competition should be gradual but steady, as previous performance levels can usually be obtained following lumbar injuries.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019567:Back Injuries; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000293:injuries; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000293:injuries; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011859:Radiography; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013314:Stress, Mechanical