Lumbar Stress fracture in a young basketball athlete
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52057/erj.v6i1.80Keywords:
basketball; stress fracture; low back pain; return to playAbstract
Background: Lumbar stress fractures are a common yet often underdiagnosed cause of low back pain in adolescent athletes, particularly those involved in sports with repetitive spinal loading. Spondylolysis, a stress fracture of the pars interarticularis, represents the most frequent etiology in this population and requires careful evaluation and management to prevent chronic pain or progression to spondylolisthesis.
Case Presentation: A 17-year-old male basketball player presented with progressive low back pain exacerbated by sports activities, which acutely worsened during a rapid trunk rotation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a unilateral stress fracture of the right pars interarticularis at L5, associated with bone marrow edema extending to the ipsilateral transverse process and paraspinal musculature.
Management and Outcome: A conservative treatment plan was implemented, consisting of activity modification, nightly pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, and a structured physiotherapy program emphasizing pain-free mobility, muscle balance, and motor control. The diagnosis was established early through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) staging, and rehabilitation was guided by objective criteria, including pain scores and functional testing. The athlete achieved complete symptom resolution and returned to full basketball participation within 11 weeks, without recurrence of pain.
Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of early MRI-based diagnosis and individualized conservative management in adolescent athletes with lumbar stress fractures. MRI is an essential tool for early detection and staging, enabling a symptom-guided rehabilitation approach that facilitates safe and timely return to sport.
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