Abstract

Low backache occurring in athletes must be carefully analyzed in search of cause. Symptomatic and visceral low backache is suspected on principle when some symptoms are atypical. The so-called <common> mechanical backache entity must be dismembered as it is already divided into several clinical entities such as spondylodiscal pathology, posterior articular pathology (thoraco-lumbar and lumbo-sacral), muscular traumatic or post-traumatic pathology, pain due to or triggered off by epiphyseal dystrophy or growth, spondylolysis, diffuse idiopathic polyalgia syndrome, etc. In the light of data from the literature and of their own experience, the authors study the mechanisms and clinical aspects of low backache in athletes in some twenty widely practised sports (football, rugby, tennis, swimming, horse riding, rowing, etc.) which may produce pain in the lumbar region. Verf.-Referat