I am an 18 year old LHP and have been experiencing back pain on and off for about 5 months. A CT scan revealed a stress fracture of the L5. The pain is on my glove side. I have been inactive for around 6 weeks. My upper back is stiff as a result of the stress fracture. I'm not sure of what exercises to do. My core is pretty strong, but I am also 6'6, so building a stable core, and doing it safely is a challenge. It is my senior year and the season is just around the corner. Any advice?

What is your Physical Therapist telling you to do?

don't do anything until the Orthopedic tells you.My stress fracture was on the l-3(and on both sides)

Don`t stretch,don't throw,and don't lift unless the doctor tells you to.The only thing you should do is maybe an exercise bike.The best medicine is rest,and its hard to admit it,but its true.I have been out for 3 months and today was my first day back.Expect to sit out around 2-4 months if you have the injury stabilized in a back brace and you are remaining inactive and taking it easy.Do not rush back.I am still in pain,but the bone grew back,luckily no scar tissue.

I didn't go to a PT. My doctor told me to do what I can. I don't experience any pain when im doing regular daily activities, but my upper back and neck get stiff constantly. I have been doing push ups and weightless lunges, along with swimming and riding an exercise bike. How bad was the pain you experienced and what activities hurt it. I've heard so many opinions now I just want to know what I should do to help it heal.

Thanks for the help!

initially the pain was unbearable.When I stretched,i felt worse.Then I got the MRI and they found the 2 stress fractures.Simple activities like jogging hurt it,even bending over to tie my shoes hurt it.I would recommend getting a backbrace from the orthotic specialist(its custom made)and wearing that as often as possible

Like I said,I was cleared not even one week ago,and my back is very very weak.Even the light jogging and lifting is causing some pain to reoccur but its not half as bad as earlier.I expect to feel normal within the next few months,but I was cleared and I am slowly getting back into things.The only thing I did to make it better was put my back in a medical hard cast and I also used a whirlpool for 4 days a week.Also,drink plenty of milk.Sadly,this injury is a rest only type thing

Dragons,

Get to a specialist. Get to the bottom of this. And then get referred to a PT so the problem does not come back.

Thank you for all your post so far. i have been to a specialist, however he did not give me sufficient information. He told me surgery was not an option, that physical therapy was not necessary and seemed to have "it's not my problem attitude" I will be going to a second doctor to get another opinion and hopefully a referral to PT. I think a brace would be a good thing, because being 6'6 it is a constant struggle to immobilize my spine and maintain food posture.Thank you for all your information. I will maintain optimistic and hopefully be back soon.

quote:

Thank you for all your post so far. i have been to a specialist, however he did not give me sufficient information. He told me surgery was not an option, that physical therapy was not necessary and seemed to have "it's not my problem attitude" I will be going to a second doctor to get another opinion and hopefully a referral to PT. I think a brace would be a good thing, because being 6'6 it is a constant struggle to immobilize my spine and maintain food posture.Thank you for all your information. I will maintain optimistic and hopefully be back soon.

Good job on going to a second doctor. When I had my back issues in HS I had to go to 11 doctors before I finally found one that could help me!

And don't be so anxious for a brace. While sometimes it is necessary a side effect is your core muscles will atrophy, so you'll be left with a long road back working with a PT. Let the doctor (one who cares) figure this out for you.

Dragons:

John gives good advise. Get to a specialist that will refer you to a PT. I am going through the same thing with my son (see earlier post 10/07 titled - "Back Pain") and was completely ignorant as to what was going on. He has L-5 pars stress fractures on both sides - right side healed - as of 12/8. The injury only showed up with a CT Scan - after x-rays and an MRI proved inconclusive. It took me 4 different doctors until I finally found one to refer PT. He is feeling better and has just been cleared to begin baseball workouts as he continues PT. As this injury occured 7/07, I definately feel like we wasted several months looking for answers. Did you go through a significant growth spurt lately? I was told that was a contributing factor in my son's injury.

Our son is also recovering from 2 stress fractures at L5--age 13. He wore a brace for 4 months and had zero activity (only ping pong--got pretty good at it). We had great care from an orthopedic surgeon who referred us to a physical therapist for weekly core and back strengthening. He is back to all activity 100% and has no pain so far. He continues to do the PT exercises 1x per day on his own and must stretch his hamstrings before any physical activity. Hope that helps.

Did your Dr. do another CT scan to see if you were 100% or just assume that after 4 mths you would be fine? My son had a second ct scan at 8 weeks and is now approaching the 4mth mark (Thank God). the Dr. said he will be able to begin working out/throwing but no running until late August. So I'm wondering
1. How will the Dr. know my son is 100% without another ct scan --the Dr. doesn't want to do another one. He said my son will be fine at 4 mths.

2. How long did it take to get back into shape? My son is a 2009 pitcher who had a great spring until this and wants to play in college. There are some camps/showcases in August but he does'nt know how quickly he will recover.

3. Were there any exercises that helped you more than others?


Thank you

The main thing I'd recommend is doing a lot of shoulder work (Jobe type exercises) while working into his throwing program and to take the throwing program very gradually. Work with a PT to develop a core strengthening program, but be careful to avoid hyperextension based exercises for a while. At some point you do want to very carefully, under the supervision of a PT familiar with Spondylolysis, load up that area to promote increased bone density.

They'd prefer not to do another CT scan because of the cumulative radiation dose. My guess is that they saw enough progress on the last scan to be reasonably certain that healing was taking place. Many doctors will go with an MRI in the first place rather than the more diagnostic CT scan simply to avoid the radiation dose.