What to Ask When Returning to Sports After a Back Injury

Going Back to Sports After Injuring Your Back: Questions to Answer First

Getting back in the game after a back injury can lead to feelings of excitement about being able to return to sports-related activities you love, but you might also have some apprehension about doing something that may trigger reinjury. Your doctor or a spine specialist can give you a general idea of when you should be able to return to sports after a back injury. However, there are some questions you can ask yourself to get a better idea of whether or not you're really ready to safely get active again.

What's My Pain Level?

Even if you're normally able to endure some degree of pain reasonably well, you shouldn’t return to sports involving running, kicking, and other strenuous repetitive motions until your discomfort is pretty much nonexistent when you're not playing sports. Sports-related activities can easily escalate existing spine-related pain to the point where you may not be able to concentrate and fully participate.

What's the Source of My Back Injury?

This particular question needs to be kept in mind when you’re deciding if it's time to return to sports after a back injury, especially if your injury occurred while playing a sport you plan to play again. If this is the case for you, make sure you’re able to safely make the athletic movements required for your preferred activity or sport before you get back in the game. Doing the same thing that caused your injury in the first place increases your odds of reinjury if you haven't given your spine and its supporting parts time to fully heal and recover.

What's My Range of Motion Like?

Are you at a point where you can comfortably make all of the turns, twists, and reaches required for your particular sport? If not, you may be increasing your odds of reinjury. Not fully regaining preinjury range of motion is a sign you'll likely benefit from some more physical therapy or rehab, because other parts of your body could end up compensating for your reduced range of motion, which could put added stress on different spine-supporting muscle groups, discs, joints, vertebrae, and nerves.

Do I Really Feel Ready?

Most athletes have a natural desire to get back in the game. You may also feel a responsibility to help your teammates, or you might want to take part in an upcoming competition or event that’s going to take place on a certain date. You may even be getting subtle or not-so-subtle pressure from coaches, teammates, or other people to play or participate again. However, you won't be doing yourself or anybody you play sports with any favors if you're not fully ready physically.

Do My Plans to Return to Sports Align with What My Doctor Says?

After a back injury, doctors usually provide general guidelines about when you should be able to resume certain activities. However, if it's been four weeks since your injury and you feel like you’re fully recovered even though you were told to wait for six weeks, check with your doctor first. While it's entirely possible to respond better to physical therapy than what was originally anticipated, it's best to get the official green light from your doctor before getting back to sports-related workouts, practices, competitions, and games.

Lastly, listen to what your body has to say when you return to sports after a back injury. If you notice a return of pain that's not going away fairly quickly or experience new symptoms, take a time-out and talk to your doctor or the spine specialist who diagnosed and treated your initial injury.

Reach out to the spinal health experts at The Spine Institute today if you’ve experienced a back or neck injury related to playing sports or any other type of activity. If you’re experiencing severe or prolonged pain, see a Los Angeles spine surgeon right away for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Call one of our friendly staff at 310-828-7757 to schedule an in-person consultation.