Lower Back Sprain

OPA treats a wide variety of back conditions and offers comprehensive treatment options — including many non-surgical solutions.

Meet Our Spine Specialists

What is a Lower Back Sprain?

Lumbar (lower back) muscle strains and sprains are the most common causes of low back pain. Lumbar muscle strain is caused when muscle fibers are abnormally stretched or torn. A lumbar sprain is caused when ligaments, the tough bands of tissue that hold bones together, are torn from their attachments.

Common Causes:

- Extreme physical exertion.
- Falling.
- Bending or crouching repeatedly.
- Lifting heavy objects if you are not in shape.

In most severe cases:

- Fractures
- Herniated Disc
- Infection

Symptoms you should look for:

- Pain and stiffness in the back.
- Pain in the buttocks and the legs, often in the back of the thigh.
- Pain that worsens when bending, stretching, coughing, or sneezing.

When you arrive for your initial consultation, Orthopedic Physicians Alaska (OPA) team of spine specialists will evaluate your areas of concern, discuss your symptoms, and develop a customized and comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. This evaluation is a necessary part of diagnosing your condition and providing the best possible care.

When diagnosing back pain, The OPA Spine Team:

- A medical, injury, and symptom history review
- A physical examination
- Multiple view x-rays ( to rule out a fracture) or MRI

Once an official diagnosis is made, a customized treatment plan is prescribed. Treatment plans decrease symptoms as quickly as possible.

Common Treatments:

At Orthopedic Physicians Alaska (OPA), our Board Certified Spine Specialists receive extensive training specifically in the musculoskeletal system, including the bones and soft tissues of the spine. Our skilled specialists can diagnose, treat, and help prevent common and complex concerns of the entire spine. OPA’s Spine Team can address your condition with our selection of physicians who focus on issues concerning spine and pain management.

Medical treatment for a low back sprain is designed to relieve pain and restore range of motion and strength. The majority of hip strains are treated nonsurgically.

(RICE) Method

Rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

NSAIDs

Oral medications decrease nerve inflammation and pain.

Physical Therapy

One of OPA’s onsite physical therapist prescribes and monitors strengthening and stretching exercises.

Surgical intervention is necessary for the lower back sprain only when other treatments have not provided adequate pain relief or if the condition is severe enough to warrant an operation.

Most symptoms of a lower back sprain will go away in 4 to 6 weeks. However, severe injuries may take longer to heal completely.