Relative to contact sports, like football or rugby, baseball at first appears gentlemanly and safe. However, the extreme motions involved in pitching and swinging put athletes and recreational players at constant risk of injury. In young players, poor mechanics often contribute to back injuries, including spondylolysis, a stress fracture in the back. As professionals age, fatigue and overuse injuries become more typical as years of wear and tear add up.
Baseball and Back Pain
Back pain is a frequent complaint of baseball players. A baseball swing causes the back to twist at high speed, possibly leading to muscle strains and spasms. Tendons that connect back muscles to the skeleton can tear when pulled too hard. Poor conditioning or body mechanics increase the odds of a painful back injury. Even among non-athletes, back pain is one of the most common neurological disorders.
Spondylolysis
The spine is an assembly of bones called vertebrae stacked in a column. The bones of the lower back are called the lumbar vertebrae. Spondylolysis is a stress fracture to one of these bones known as the pars interarticularis. Both pitching and swinging the bat in baseball exert high levels of twisting force on the lower back. These forces can cause stress fractures to the vertebrae. However, spondylolysis is more common in sports, such as gymnastics and football that involve heavier loading and impact forces.
Back Pain Treatment
Rest is the first step on the path to recovery from back pain. Inflamed and sensitive muscles need time to repair themselves. An ice pack or cold compress may ease some of the swelling and discomfort. For mild to moderate pain, over-the-counter medications should suffice. After a few days of rest, begin slowly increasing your activity level. A physical therapist can instruct you in specific exercises to speed injury recovery and ideally prevent recurrence. Call your doctor if pain suddenly intensifies or you lose feeling in one of your legs.
Spondylolysis Treatment
In most cases, doctors can treat spondylolysis with physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications. Rest will ease initial discomfort, after which rehabilitation strengthens the muscles surrounding the damaged vertebra. Complications from the condition are not typical, and complete recovery is normal. If the vertebra slides forward and out of position, however, a more serious problem known as spondylolisthesis may develop. In a worst case scenario, spinal fusion surgery is necessary to correct excess slippage of the vertebrae.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; Spondylolysis and Spondylolistheses; October 2007
- Cedars-Sinai: Back Spasm
- State of Oregon; Occupational Health and Safety Health Administration; Introduction to Ergonomics
- Harvard Medical School; Harvard Health Publications; 5 Steps to a Pain-Free Back;
- "Baseball Prospectus"; The Injury Nexus; Nate Silver and Will Carroll; February 2003
