Open AccessImportance of screening in physical therapy: vertebral fracture of thoracolumbar junction in a recreational runner
Author(s) -
Filippo Maselli,
Giacomo Rossettini,
Antonello Viceconti,
Marco Testa
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr-2019-229987
Subject(s) - medicine , physical therapy , low back pain , presentation (obstetrics) , reduction (mathematics) , stress fractures , recreation , back pain , lumbar spine , lumbar vertebrae , physical medicine and rehabilitation , lumbar , surgery , alternative medicine , pathology , geometry , mathematics , political science , law
Running is one of the most popular sports worldwide. Studies suggest that 11%-85% of recreational runners have at least one running-related injury (RRI) each year, resulting in a reduction or interruption in training. A high risk for running-related injuries (RRIs) represents an important inconvenience counterbalancing the beneficial effects of running. RRIs primarily affect the joints of the lower limb and lumbar spine. Noteworthy, in some cases, the clinical presentation of signs and symptoms is confusing and may hide serious conditions; thus, clinicians have to pay special attention when potential factors arise, such as the presence of red flags. As reported in this case report, patients can present with low back pain (LBP) as a primary problem, mimicking a red flag such as a fracture of the spine. The aim of this case report was to describe a case of a recreational runner presenting with LBP as the sole symptom of an underlying thoracolumbar fracture.