Accurate diagnosis of chronic low back pain in a high-level college athlete: a case report

A 21-year-old woman who was high-level college softball player presented with a 6-month history of low back pain that had been treated unsuccessfully by medication at local clinics. There was tenderness in the left paravertebral muscle at the lower lumbar level. X-ray and computed tomography revealed congenital scoliosis and an L6 hemivertebra. Short tau inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging showed a fluid collection at the left L6-S1 facet joint. We performed a diagnostic facet injection, consisting of 1% lidocaine and steroids, that was infiltrated into the left facet joint at L6-S1. Her persistent low back pain disappeared immediately after the facet block. We diagnosed left-sided facet arthritis at L6-S1. Due to her multiple congenital anomalies, excessive loading occurred at the facet joint. Therefore, we opted for conservative management, including mobilization of the thoracic spine and stretching of hamstrings and quadriceps. This case report underscores the importance of accurate diagnosis of low back pain and of the diagnostic utility of short tau inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging and lumbar facet block in young athletes with chronic spinal pain. J. Med. Invest. 64: 313-316, August, 2017.