Back Injuries Common Among Youth Sports Players

Overtraining, sedentary lifestyles between seasons, and insufficient training are likely factors in the high injury rates of young athletes. Lower back injuries are the third most common type of sports injury among athletes under the age of 18, according to a new study from Loyola University.

The study divided back injuries into minor and major. The researchers considered injuries to the facet joints -- those that connect the vertebrae -- and the sacroiliac (SI) joints -- those that form where the hip bones meet the sacrum at the base of the spine -- to be less severe. Serious injuries included vertebral stress fractures, spondylosis - bony growths on the vertebra - and spondylolisthesis - forward slipping of the vertebra.

The study found that 15.1% of all evaluated youth sports injuries involved the lower back. Of these, 61% were “less severe” and 39% fell into the severe category. It should be noted that while the facet and SI joint injuries were considered minor, these injuries are nothing to sneeze at. Injury to a joint can later predispose the injured individual to osteoarthritis – wear and tear arthritis – in the injured joint. Problems with the SI joints, such as inflammation, hypermobility, or hypomobility, can lead to chronic, severe pain that mimics sciatica.

Risk factors

Being aware of risk factors can help your child avoid lower back injuries. Researchers conducting the study noted that lower back injuries were more common among youth who, on average, spent more time playing sports than their peers. The average time spent playing among people with back injuries was 12.7 hours per week, compared to 11.3 hours per week for other injured players. The researchers also noted that specialization—playing only one sport—is associated with injuries.

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