Junior with possible stress fracture in back

[Taxidrivermum]

We have an 11 year old daughter who has suddenly developed lower back pain that is being treated by a physiotherapist who has suspicions it is a stress fracture but doesn’t want to expose her to radiation if it can be managed with rest. She is taking 4 weeks off initially then reevaluating.

She is starting to get reasonably serious about her tennis and plays in 1-2 tournaments a month as well as training on court 6 hours per week. She doesn’t train as hard as some other kids her age and still plays other sports like hockey and touch rugby. In her words she says her back starting hurting because she was arching to do kick serves.

She begins a high performance scholarship with the local tennis association this year and was hoping to train a little more and step the intensity up a little . As parents we are concerned it is an overuse thing and that perhaps she shouldn’t start increasing training hours even though others are. She is very slim and athletic in build so may be predisposed to these injuries as she grows. Does anyone have any experience with juniors getting these injuries and what they did as far as managing recovery and workload?

 

[sureshs]

I would show her to a doctor first, not a physiotherapist or chiropractor. There is something fishy if he thinks one X Ray is a danger as opposed to an undiagnosed fracture.

@ollinger what is your take?

 

[ollinger]

I would show her to a doctor first, not a physiotherapist or chiropractor. There is something fishy if he thinks one X Ray is a danger as opposed to an undiagnosed fracture.

@ollinger what is your take?

Would agree, could be a fracture, could be arthritis in the spine (study in the journal "Pediatrics" few years ago showed spinal arthritis to be a problem in high school level tennis players) which could become worse if she steps up her training, could be something else entirely.

 

[SteveI]

Parents with young players should be very aware that too much tennis at a young age is not the best for the body. I am not shocked to hear that "spinal arthritis to be a problem in high school level tennis players". Tennis is not the lifelong sport that the USTA claims it to be. You have to train very hard off the court to take the pounding .. this new game of tennis being played these days. The game is very physical and very fast.. and will chew up a body in short order if a parent does not control court hours and drilling time. Sometimes.. less is more. Take high quality lessons... learn to end points at the net and fast. Do less drilling and play smarter and shorter points.. otherwise your time in the game will be shortened.. Getting one more ball back in play will win you points.. but at what cost..

 

[bobleenov1963]

I would show her to a doctor first, not a physiotherapist or chiropractor. There is something fishy if he thinks one X Ray is a danger as opposed to an undiagnosed fracture.

@ollinger what is your take?

you do not need XRay. You need MRI. MRI is much more expensive but it will show everythin.

 

[Pete Player]

In soccer it is common to do plancks. Lot of really young club players suffered back pain and even prolaps-like trouble in their spine after a short period of excercise due to faulty execution.

I would recommend not to play rugby. And spend that time doing smart core workout. Lot of tennis is really one-sided and will twist the body, unless balancing workout is comenced alongside playing a lot. Recovery time plays also big role.


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Again on pain meds, now for good - all contributed matter and anti-matter are subject to disclaimer

 

[Taxidrivermum]

Latest update- 4 weeks since the injury which made her pull out of a tournament. Have had an x ray which didn’t show anything and we are seeing a specialist who will probably order an MRI or CT. She has been told by physio to try and hit at 50% - she got to 30 min without pain and then only on quick reaction twists to ball on corners. Fingers crossed she hasn’t got something too serious as she is in the shortlist to go on a trip to Europe to play on clay this year in August.