For many children and families, sports injuries are a fact of life. Youthful bodies repair quickly, so the vast majority of injuries from sports heal with little or no medical intervention and no lasting effects. When children or teenagers injure their backs; however, it's always wise to see a doctor to ensure no hidden damage exists.

Sports-related back injuries fall into the back's four anatomical categories: vertebrae, discs, spinal cord and soft tissue structures (ligaments, tendons and muscles).

Disc Herniation

Also referred to as a bulging, ruptured or torn disc, a herniated disc results when the disc's tough outer covering bulges out or breaks open and the jelly-like fluid contained within escapes. S ince the disc provides cushioning to the nerve roots and vertebrae, a herniated disc puts abnormal pressure on the nerves and spinal bone structure. This pressure can result in pain, or in a sensation of numbness or weakness along the nerve pathway and out to the extremities the nerve serves. Sciatica is one example of a common symptom that typically results from disc herniation.

Depending on your age, the severity of the herniation and if there are other medical conditions, recovery usually takes between six weeks and six months using a conservative approach of pain medication, physical therapy and rest. In more severe cases, where conservative treatment alone is not effective, your Sutter team of physicians may recommend minimally invasive or traditional surgery. At Sutter, many spine surgeries are performed using Minimal Access Spinal Technologies (MAST™). These high-tech microscopic tools require very small incisions and minimize scarring, possible risks, and recovery time. Surgical treatment options can be utilized alone or in combination with other procedures.

For more information, see our Healthwise health information section on herniated disc and herniated neck disc.

Endplate Fractures

Between the vertebra bone and disc lies an area of boney cartilage called the endplate. This tough structure can crack under compression or trauma, causing pain and leading to possible disc degeneration in the future. Such fractures often do not appear on spinal X-ray and may require computed tomography (CT) scan of the spine or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine.

Muscles, Tendons & Ligaments

The spine soft-tissue support allows the back to twist, bend, flex, and supports such actions as lifting, throwing and catching. Trauma or hyperextension during any of these actions can result in soft tissue pulling or tearing. In all but a few instances, the body repairs the injury on its own. When the soft tissue injury is severe, including disconnecting the ligaments from joints or vertebrae, surgery may be needed to ensure proper healing.

Repetitive Trauma

Almost every sport requires at least one action to be repeated frequently, placing abnormal stress on a particular joint, soft tissue structure or bone. When constant use pushes the body beyond its ability to self-repair, repetitive motion injury or trauma results. Typically, rest and recuperation is all it takes for a child's or teenager's body to mend. When pain persists, it's important to have a doctor examine the injury and perform tests to determine the nature and extent of any damage.

Spinal Cord Injury

Trauma to the spinal cord is among the most serious injuries a child or teenager can experience. Following emergency medical care, doctors conduct immediate and extensive testing to determine the exact nature of the injury and chart a course for treatment. Sutter Neuroscience Institute and Sutter Children's Services combine services to provide children and families the level of medical care and compassionate support needed to ensure the best possible outcome.

For an extensive discussion, see our Healthwise health information section on spinal cord injury. You can find additional information under spinal cord injuries and neck injuries and disordersin MedlinePlus®, a joint effort of the National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine.

Stress Fractures

Certain sports-related activities, such as weightlifting and gymnastics, may put excessive stress on a young person's immature skeletal system, causing vertebrae to crack under the strain. When a child complains of back pain for more than a few days, a medical examination and testing can help determine if a stress or compression fracture is present. If detected, doctors will determine the best course of treatment to enable long-term healing that does not jeopardize the child's natural growth pattern.

More Information

Our Healthwise health information section contains more information on back injuries under the following topics: acute back pain and its possible causes. To find out about spine and neck conditions that can cause acute pain, see back problems and injuries, cervical disc herniation, herniated disc, low back pain, neck pain, neck problems and injuries and sciatica. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) also provides an excellent Handout on Health: Sports Injuries. Also see MedlinePlus: Sports Injuries.