| name: | Back Sprain |
| also known as: | Mechanical Lower Back Pain; Lower Back Sprain; Sprained Back |
| also see: | Sprain; Strain; Sacroiliac Back Sprain; Backache; Mid Back Strain; Lower Back Strain; Ruptured Disk Disease; Sciatica; ICD |
| description: | A sprain is an injury to ligaments; a strain is an injury to muscle or tendon. First degree sprain is a stretch or slight tear of one or more ligaments. Second degree sprain is a partial tear of one or more ligaments. Third degree sprain is a complete tear of one or more ligaments. A back strain is a pull or tear of a back muscle whereas a back sprain is a pull or tear of the ligaments along the spine. A stressed back spinous ligament will allow a lower back vertebrae to become malpositioned and usually occurs when the ligaments are stressed while the person is off balance or malpositioned. Risk is increased with contact sports, gymnastics, weight lifting, wrestling, heavy lifting, shoveling, obesity, poor conditioning. Go to Also See above and click on the highlighted subject of interest, noting the difference between a sprain which involves ligaments, and strain which involves muscle-tendon. |
| signs & symptoms: | Includes severe back pain, a sensation of popping or tearing, tenderness, swelling, and even bruising. |
| diagnosis: | Based on signs, symptoms, history and exam, as well as x-rays. |
| treatment: | Rarely does a 3rd degree sprain necessitate surgery. Most back sprains are treated with rest, ice, splinting, as well as medication for pain and swelling, such as NSAID. |
| prevention: | Includes conditioning, stretching. |
| outcome: | Mild back sprains heal in 1-2 weeks, moderate in 2-6 weeks and severe back sprains in 1-3 months. Complications can include chronic pain, disability, slow healing, recurrence. |
skynetMD suggests the following:
| if: | If the person has sustained a lower back sprain and has numbness, weakness, tingling in the legs, or loss of bowel or bladder control, or pain that radiates down the back of the leg called sciatica, or pain that persists despite 2 days of conservative treatment, or pain down the leg with a simple cough or sneeze |
| go to: | Go to the doctor. |
| if: | If the person has a mild to moderate back sprain, and is under the care of a doctor, they should also rest, use a firm mattress, ice the area for 2-3 days followed by alternating ice with heat, lightly wear an abdominal binder or a corset, and |
| go to: | Go to the pharmacy for an ice bag, heating pad, abdominal binder or corset, and aspirin (if older than 19 years), ibuprofen or naproxen, as well as multivitamin and mineral supplements. |
| if: | If the person would like a back pain Internet Resource |
| go to: | Go to American college of Rheumatology www.rheumatology.org/patients/factsheets.html |
Last updated 7/18/2009