Lumbosacral Spine Sprain/Strain Injuries Workup

  • Author: Andrea Radebold, MD; Chief Editor: Craig C Young, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 28, 2010
 

Laboratory Studies

  • Laboratory studies are generally not indicated as a routine diagnostic tool in the evaluation of lumbosacral spine sprain/strain injuries.
  • Suggestive findings for rheumatic disease, such as ankylosing spondylitis, are increased levels of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27, leukocytes (4.5-11 x 103), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (male: 0-20 mm/h; female: 0-30 mm/h).
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Imaging Studies

  • Although sprain and strain injuries only involve the soft tissue, standard anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the lumbar spine should be routinely obtained to (1) exclude a fracture, rheumatic disease, or a tumor growth; and (2) to evaluate degenerative joint disease as well as overall spinal alignment.
  • If an individual with LBP does not respond to conservative treatment and develops neurologic signs, a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance image (MRI) may be considered to evaluate for disc herniation and involvement of the nerve roots. (See also the eMedicine articles Disk Herniation [in the Radiology section] and Herniated Nucleus Pulposus [in the Orthopedic Surgery section].)
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Andrea Radebold, MD  Research Associate, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yale University School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Andrew D Perron, MD  Residency Director, Department of Emergency Medicine, Maine Medical Center

Andrew D Perron, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Russell D White, MD  Professor of Medicine, Director of Sports Medicine Fellowship Program, Medical Director, Sports Medicine Center, Head Team Physician, University of Missouri-Kansas City Intercollegiate Athletic Program, Department of Community and Family Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Truman Medical Center Lakewood

Russell D White, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Sports Medicine, American Diabetes Association, and American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jon B Whitehurst, MD  Clinical Instructor of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine; Partner, Rockford Orthopedic Associates; Orthopedic Chairman, Rockford Memorial Hospital

Jon B Whitehurst, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Arthroscopy Association of North America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Craig C Young, MD  Professor, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Community and Family Medicine, Medical Director of Sports Medicine, Sports Medicine Fellowship Director, Medical College of Wisconsin

Craig C Young, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  2. Gourmelen J, Chastang JF, Ozguler A, et al. Frequency of low back pain among men and women aged 30 to 64 years in France. Results of two national surveys. Ann Readapt Med Phys. Nov 2007;50(8):640-4. [Medline].

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  11. Cholewicki J, Juluru K, Radebold A, Panjabi MM, McGill SM. Lumbar spine stability can be augmented with an abdominal belt and/or increased intra-abdominal pressure. Eur Spine J. 1999;8(5):388-95. [Medline].

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  13. Demoulin C, Distrée V, Tomasella M, Crielaard JM, Vanderthommen M. Lumbar functional instability: a critical appraisal of the literature. Ann Readapt Med Phys. Nov 2007;50(8):677-84. [Medline].

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  17. Tall RL, DeVault W. Spinal injury in sport: epidemiologic considerations. Clin Sports Med. Jul 1993;12(3):441-8. [Medline].

 
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