Importance of screening in physical therapy: vertebral fracture of thoracolumbar junction in a recreational runner

Abstract

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.

Prevalence and incidence of low back pain among runners: a systematic review

“…Despite running is one of the most practiced sports worldwide, and the prevalence rate of RRI is well documented in scientific literature [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11], prevalence and incidence of LBP among runners are still unclear. The relatively low number of studies that we were able to include in the present review confirms the scarcity of literature on this topic.…”

“…RRI is defined as an overuse injury due to an unbalance between the resistance capacity of connective tissue and the biomechanical solicitations of running [14,15]. Therefore, here the meaning of "injury" differs from usual meaning which is related to an acute trauma and, in a clinical perspective, very rare among runners [3,14,15].…”

“…Running is one of the most practiced sports in the adult population worldwide, due to the sustainable cost of technical materials and its great beneficial impacts on health [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. The benefits of running include weight control and prevention of chronic health disorders, such as the cardiovascular diseases, resulting in a general reduction of mortality risk [1][2][3][4][5][6].…”

“…Running is one of the most practiced sports in the adult population worldwide, due to the sustainable cost of technical materials and its great beneficial impacts on health [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. The benefits of running include weight control and prevention of chronic health disorders, such as the cardiovascular diseases, resulting in a general reduction of mortality risk [1][2][3][4][5][6]. The health benefits associated with running are well-documented, nevertheless the attention to lifestyle, diet, fitness and competitive athletics promoted by media in the last decade, have led to a drastic increase of the levels of physical activity and interest in both competitive and recreational running, even in subjects without an appropriate knowledge on training methodology [3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

“…The benefits of running include weight control and prevention of chronic health disorders, such as the cardiovascular diseases, resulting in a general reduction of mortality risk [1][2][3][4][5][6]. The health benefits associated with running are well-documented, nevertheless the attention to lifestyle, diet, fitness and competitive athletics promoted by media in the last decade, have led to a drastic increase of the levels of physical activity and interest in both competitive and recreational running, even in subjects without an appropriate knowledge on training methodology [3][4][5][6][7][8]. Although evidence suggests that running is one of the most effective ways to achieve a good state of health and fitness [9], recent studies indicate that it also involves a relatively high risk of associated injury [10,11].…”