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Updated: May 25, 2026
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Biomechanical Changes Related to Low Back Pain: An Innovative Tool for Movement Pattern Assessment and Treatment Evaluation in Rehabilitation
Published on: December 13, 2024
Low back pain in a competitive cricket athlete
1Lane Cove Physiotherapy Centre, Lane Cove, New South Wales, Australia.
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
|February 10, 2012
Summary
Young athletes with low back pain may have spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis. Imaging like radiography, CT, and SPECT aids diagnosis in these cases, especially for athletes in sports like cricket.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
Background:
- Low back pain is common in adolescent and young adult athletes.
- Conditions like spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis should be considered in this population.
- Stress reactions of the pars interarticularis are a potential cause of pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of clinical suspicion for specific spinal conditions in young athletes with low back pain.
- To present a case study detailing the diagnostic process for an adolescent athlete.
- To illustrate the utility of various imaging modalities in diagnosing these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Case report of an adolescent cricket athlete with low back pain.
- Utilized conventional radiography for initial assessment.
- Employed computerized tomography (CT) and Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for detailed diagnosis.
Main Results:
- The case demonstrates the step-by-step application of imaging techniques.
- Highlights how different modalities contribute to a comprehensive differential diagnosis.
- Confirms the diagnostic value of radiography, CT, and SPECT in identifying pars interarticularis injuries.
Conclusions:
- Physical therapists must maintain a high index of suspicion for spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, and pars stress reactions in young athletes presenting with low back pain.
- A combination of imaging techniques, including radiography, CT, and SPECT, is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for appropriate management and return to sport.
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