Back Pain Doc in NJ Talks 5 Causes of Back Pain in Children

To determine what exactly is causing the discomfort, pain doctors start with a physical examination and a doctor-patient discussion, which should help them understand the evolution of the symptoms. Rarely, they may require imaging tests, such as MRIs or X-rays, but these are only required if the doctor suspects the condition may have turned chronic.

Most of the time, muscular back pain can be treated with rest and activity adjustments, and if necessary, some mild pain medicine. When it comes to more complex therapy, there are many pain treatment options that can provide relief, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, stretching, yoga, and massage therapy.

2. Stress Fractures

Stress fractures usually happen in the spine and are most common in teenagers. In most cases, these teens may be unaware such an injury has happened, so they simply go on about their lives. Signs of this stress fracture will, however, appear over time and cause significant pain.

A spondylolysis, or injury to the bone in the rear area of the spinal column, is the most common kind of spinal stress fracture. This injury is particularly common in teenagers who participate in activities that require repetitively bending backwards the spine, as for example gymnasts and kart drivers.

Stress fractures create concern in both children and parents since they don’t usually heal as they should and can cause problems throughout adolescence or young adulthood. The good news is the majority of children and adolescents suffering from this condition are treated with minimally invasive procedures, and they actually manage to do a full recovery in time.

3. Disc herniation

Herniated discs in children are far less prevalent than in adults, although they can occur and cause severe pain. This is a condition that happens when the soft cushion between two vertebrae ruptures and is pushed out of its usual location, where it might rub against the nerves and spinal cord.

Leg discomfort, numbness, and tingling, as well as weakness of the lower limbs or trouble bending or straightening the spine, are all symptoms of disc herniation. This affliction often compresses nerve roots and causes sciatica pain as well.

In children, adolescents, and young adults, the normal disc material is flexible and elastic, allowing it to bear unique stresses on the spine much better. The disc loses flexibility and pliability with age, making it more prone to rupture. However, children and adolescents can experience ruptured discs due to high pressures (traumatic injuries) or irregular disc structure, resulting in herniation.

4. Spine alignment anomaly

Spine alignment issues can result in a visible deformity and often cause back pain. It is important to mention that minor abnormalities, while also visible at times, rarely cause discomfort. However, spine alignment anomalies might indicate something more serious if they cause your child to be in pain.

Scoliosis and Scheuermann’s kyphosis are the two most prevalent spinal abnormalities in children. Scoliosis is a spine abnormality that results in an S-shaped curvature when seen from the back, while Scheuermann’s kyphosis produces a severe bend in the spine when observed from the side.

Although these two conditions are vastly different, the therapy concepts applied by pain specialists are extremely similar. Observation is the best therapy for less severe abnormalities, with children being taught to take care of their posture and keep an eye on the evolution of their symptoms. A brace may be considered if the deformity has developed to a more substantial degree, but this will be assessed by measurements of angles visible on X-ray imaging.

5. Spinal infections

Spine or disc infections can often be difficult to diagnose. Spinal infections are common in young children and adolescents and can cause nonspecific symptoms of malaise, low-grade fevers, and back discomfort.

Laboratory tests are often the ones that indicate there may be a sign of infection in the body by showing elevated white blood cell count, or inflammation signalled by elevated ESR or CRP. When an infection is suspected, imaging tests are usually conducted to determine the location of the illness.

In most cases, antibiotics can be used to treat an infection, although surgery may be required in rare cases. Surgery is usually recommended only if the infection has caused damage to the spinal structure or if antibiotics have failed to control the condition so far.

If your child is suffering from back pain, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with one of our Harvard-trained sciatica specialists. Dr George Hanna, Dr Laura Lombardi, and Dr Shane Volney are the very best back pain docs in NJ. So, whether you’re dealing with herniated discs, spine alignment anomalies, or other back problems, we’re here to help! You can find us in Paramus on Route 17, near the Paramus Park Mall, in Clifton, NJ, on Route 46 E, past the Ford dealership, in West Orange, near the Essex Country Club, and in Woodland Park clinic, on McBride Avenue, right next to Woodland Park Dialysis Center.