Case Summary  |  Bilateral Stress Fracture

I was diagnosed in the fall of 2006 with a Bilateral Stress Fracture after a football season which put immense tension and excruciating pain in my back. The pain was subtle at first, but the pain grew until I went to see a physical therapist for diagnosis. He believed it might be scoliosis, but after persistent pain he sent me to get a CT scan. The results of the scan indicated that I had stress fractures on my L3 and L4 which help to stabilize the spine. These fractures are what had caused me so much pain. An orthopedic doctor sent me to receive four weeks of treatment at a physical therapist and said it would take about four months until the pain subsided. My treatment involved several exercises that worked on core strength and the muscles that surround my spine. I would do sit-ups using a stability ball and lift dumbells while keeping my back completely straight. This helped to build muscle and speed up the recovery process. I also received stem treatments which stimulates the muscles in the back to help with the pain. After about three months of treatment I felt almost no pain, however it does reoccur when I perform certain lifts like squats. Three years removed from the injury I feel exponentially better, yet like any other injury there are waves of pain the occur from standing, sitting too long, or performing rigorous activities. All in all, the treatment was a great sucess.