Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints in the world, but because of its particular characteristics, athletic low back pain has to be evaluated by a specialist. Lower back pain treatment Dubai is crucial for athletes, and Vitruvian Italian Physiotherapy Center provides expert assessments to help them recover faster. First, athletes are under pressure to get back to their peak physical performance as soon as possible. Although the majority of low back pain episodes go away in 6–12 weeks, many athletes want to get back to playing much sooner. The likelihood that athletes are on the far side of the “U-shaped” curve of activity and low back discomfort is another distinctive characteristic. Athletic low back pain can result from excessive physical activity or activity spikes, whereas low back pain in the sedentary population is associated with insufficient physical exercise.
Finally, if an athlete has low back pain, they cannot afford to be sedentary during their rehabilitation. Lower back pain Dubai often forces athletes to stay active during recovery, and Vitruvian Italian Physiotherapy Center ensures safe training plans to maintain fitness. To return to training and sports in a safe manner, they must maintain their level of fitness. Our first evaluation should provide us with a workable diagnosis, a referral decision, and a recovery timeline (including training recommendations in the interim) while keeping these characteristics in mind.
Subjective Examination
Description of Symptoms
The description of symptoms gives a plethora of information to help us make a working diagnosis. Lumbar pain clinic Dubai specialists at Vitruvian Italian Physiotherapy Center carefully analyze symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and pain types. The majority of physiotherapists frequently inquire about neurological symptoms and pain types, such as tingling and numbness in the extremities. The “shape” of the pain is another aspect. A hand span with a larger distribution is more likely to be somatically transferred pain, whereas a finger line distribution is typically indicative of radicular pain. Radiculopathy patients frequently exhibit both. Furthermore, SIJ discomfort or L5/S1 radicular pain might be indicated by pointing to the sacrum. Activities that require a single-leg posture are referred to as aggravators by patients with SIJ discomfort.
Training/Sport History
We can identify the potential causes of discomfort by looking at the athlete’s sport and movement patterns. Spine specialist Dubai at Vitruvian Italian Physiotherapy Center often links repetitive motions to injury patterns like disc disorders or facet joint stress. For instance, repeated flexion sports like rowing and cycling are frequently linked to disc-related disorders. Conversely, the pars interarticularis and/or facet joints are typically involved in repeated extension actions, such as those found in baseball or gymnastics. We can unload the problematic region, direct therapy, and facilitate training with non-provocative motions by having a thorough understanding of the potentially implicated structures.
In order to determine what training elements could have contributed to this episode of low back discomfort, we also need to look at the athlete’s training history. VIP back pain treatment Dubai programs can be customized after analyzing past training loads that may have caused discomfort. We are aware that while sustaining high training loads is protective, a surge in training load is linked to the development of discomfort.
Red and Yellow Flag Assessment
The evaluation of red and yellow flags is another essential component of the subjective. Red flags include persistent nighttime discomfort or abnormalities in the bladder or intestines will probably require a referral to a doctor for additional assessment. Sciatica treatment Dubai may be considered when neurological symptoms are evident, along with psychosocial yellow flags that can slow recovery. Yellow flags that might hinder healing, such as pain sensitivity and psychosocial issues, can also be detected during the subjective assessment. For instance, we might need to look more closely at the objective part of the test if an athlete has experienced recurrent episodes of low back discomfort.
Objective Examination
The objective examination should be brief. We don’t want to make an athlete who is currently in discomfort any worse. Physiotherapy for back pain Dubai provided by Vitruvian Italian Physiotherapy Center includes careful, brief assessments that prevent further irritation. Future sessions will have time for additional assessment. Furthermore, because pain can change an athlete’s ability to move (for example, by upregulating certain muscle groups), some measures may not even provide us with correct information in situations of severe low back pain.
Lumbar Range of Motion
Our working diagnosis is informed by the standing lumbar range of motion, which reveals changes in motor control. We start by examining the quality of movement. For instance, does the athlete achieve complete segmental flexion and posterior weight transfer during forward flexion? Or do they attempt to avoid bending through the lower back via hip-hinging? The athlete’s discomfort reaction may indicate potential implicated structures as we watch these movements. While lumbar flexion tends to increase disc diseases, extension tends to aggravate facet joint pathologies and the pars interarticularis.
Neurological Examination
We must evaluate neurological function in addition to lumbar mobility. Basic reflex, myotome, and dermatome testing is where we begin. Tests such as the heel and toe walk may be used to increase the effectiveness of myotome testing by removing the requirement for physical muscle testing of certain myotomes.
The slump test can be used if the results of the straight leg raise test are negative. We evaluate range of motion as well as symptom provocation; a typical range of motion is -20 degrees of knee extension (20 degrees less than full knee extension).
The knee bend test, also known as the femoral nerve tension test, may be necessary to target nerve roots L2-L4 because the straight leg lift concentrates on segments L4-S1.
Finally, Kemp’s Sign may be used to evaluate how much an athlete’s pain is caused by spinal stenosis and facet joints.
Thoracic Spine and Hip Range of Motion
We can address any mobility deficiencies that could be reducing movement efficiency by measuring the hip and thoracic spine’s range of motion. While the lumbar spine is more adapted for stability and force transfer, the hips and thoracic spine are better suited for movement. We are likely to move less effectively in sports that require near-range maneuvers when we are immobile in these places. For instance, bikers and rowers require 115 and 130 degrees of hip flexion, respectively; therefore, maintaining a reserve of hip flexion will be beneficial for these athletes.
In the same way, hip extension is essential for gymnasts, throwing athletes, and any other athlete who must exhibit significant degrees of extension. Additionally, thoracic rotation is crucial, particularly for athletes who engage in repetitive extension-rotation motions like throwers or swimmers.
Somatosensory “Smudging”
Athletes who have chronic pain should have their somatosensory “smudging” evaluated. This may have an impact on motor control and refers to alterations in the representation of a painful location at the cortical level. The 2-point discrimination test on the low back is one way to evaluate such brain alterations. If we suspect somatosensory “smudging,” we may additionally evaluate the athlete’s ability to recognize letters or numerals drawn onto the sore location. The athlete can then see their growth by repeating these objective exams.
Wrapping Up
The evaluation of sports low back pain should provide us with a workable diagnosis, a preliminary referral decision, and a recovery schedule. Vitruvian Italian Physiotherapy Center helps athletes recover with structured lower back pain treatment Dubai plans that guide their return to sport safely. After the initial examination, we may start discussing a return to sport, change training, and refer out for more evaluation.
