From the Field to the OR: How We Treat Athletic Spine Injuries

Staying active through athletics undoubtedly supports your health in a range of ways. The activities also, however, raise your risk of numerous injuries — including those that could land you in the emergency room.

Thankfully, most athletic spine injuries are highly treatable, especially if you seek prompt care. Dr. Nicholas Perenich and his team at Spine Institute of Florida in Dade City and Spring Hill, Florida, provide comprehensive care for spine injuries in athletes of all ages to make way for a full recovery.

If you or a loved one stays active through sports, read on to learn how we can help if or when an injury rears its head.

Common athletic spine injuries

Any movement that causes sudden, forceful, or intense pressure or strain on your spine can result in an injury. These injuries can happen suddenly or over time, due to overuse of any part of your spine.

Athletic spine injuries we frequently treat at Spine Institute of Florida include:

Disc herniation, when a gel-filled disc in your spine tears or ruptures
Vertebral fractures, when a bone breaks or cracks
Spondylolisthesis, when a vertebrae moves out of place and compresses a nerve

Other common athletic spine injuries include ligament or muscle sprains and strains, facet joint injuries, and cervical burners or stingers (unilateral nerve damage).

How we treat athletic spine injuries

Unless your athletic spine injury is severe, our team typically starts with conservative care. Your plan may include:

Activity changes and rest
Physical therapy (PT)
Use of a back brace or cervical collar
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

If those treatments don’t suffice, we may suggest epidural injections, facet joint injections, or a minimally invasive procedure, such as radiofrequency ablation.

Epidural and facet joint injections strategically place medication that numbs pain and gradually alleviates inflammation. Radiofrequency ablation uses heat to do away with a damaged nerve.

Athletic spine injury surgeries

For particularly stubborn and severe athletic injuries, we offer spine surgeries that range from minimally invasive to complex.

Examples include:

Foraminotomy, which creates more room for nerve roots to leave your spine
Laminectomy, which relieves arched plates to ease pressure
Foraminotomy, which creates more room for nerve roots to leave your spine
Spinal fusion, which fuses two more more vertebrae for stability

Whenever possible, our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to reduce your pain and expedite your recovery.

Getting the care you need

Delaying athletic spine injury treatment can elongate pain, swelling, and stiffness, spur further injury, and even result in permanent damage or disability. Rather than face those risks, pursue treatment as soon as you notice signs of an injury that don’t resolve within days of home care.

To learn more about athletic spine injury treatment or get on the path to a full and efficient recovery, call Spine Institute of Florida or schedule an appointment through our website today.