Common back problems in children

Back pain in children can be localized at the cervical, thoracic or lumbar level, sometimes radiating to the shoulders and buttocks and only rarely radiating to the extremities. In the vast majority of cases, let's say 90%, we are not able to identify a specific pathology that causes pain, that is w

Back pain in children can be localized at the cervical, thoracic or lumbar level, sometimes radiating to the shoulders and buttocks and only rarely radiating to the extremities.

In the vast majority of cases, let's say 90%, we are not able to identify a specific pathology that causes pain, that is when we talk about nonspecific pain. However, in some cases we do find pathologies or diseases that produce pain: we are talking about specific or organic pain. In Guiainfantil.com we tell you what injuries cause back pain in children and are the most common.

Common back injuries in children

1. Spondylolisthesis: defect of union between the anterior and posterior part of the last vertebra stuck to the sacrum. It causes a pain of mechanical type, that is, related to physical activity and improves at rest. The simple union or fusion of these vertebrae is called ankylosing spondylitis, which when there is a displacement between them, is called spondylolisthesis.

2. Sheuermann kyphosis: It is an exaggerated flexion of the spine forward. The thoracic spine presents a normal forward flexion of up to 40º, so in these cases the kyphosis is considered physiological. A normal spine seen from behind looks right. However, a vertebral column affected by kyphosis presents some forward curvature (more than 40º) in the vertebrae of the upper part of the back, similar to a hump. It is caused by a disorder in the ossification of the vertebrae.

3. Lordosis: is the opposite of kyphosis. It is a backward bending of the spine, which may correspond to the normal position in the cervical and lumbar spine to compensate for the thoracic kyphosis, but which can also be an abnormal situation when it is very pronounced. The exaggeration of the lordotic curvature makes the buttocks appear more prominent. A child with a marked lordosis, when lying on his back on a hard surface, shows a space between the lower back and the surface on which he is lying. If the lordotic curve is flexible, that is, that it returns to its normal shape when the child leans forward, it is a sign of minimal medical importance; but if the curve is fixed, a medical evaluation must be carried out.

4. Scoliosis: comes from a Greek word meaning "twisted" and is a disorder that causes the spine to curve to the sides and generally rotate the vertebrae. Usually, it does not cause pain. If along with scoliosis there is some pain in the back, it means that there is also a disease in the spine or nerves, and an inflammatory or tumoral cause must be ruled out. Scoliosis usually begins when the child is between 8 and 10 years of age, but it is only noticeable when it reaches adolescence. It is more common in adolescent girls. We must differentiate what is a true or structural scoliosis from what is a scoliotic attitude or functional scoliosis.

Other causes of back pain of organic type are infections, tumors, herniated disc, rheumatic disorders or trauma. Although its incidence is very low we must take them into account to correct them or fight them promptly. We must not forget that prevention is the key to these types of problems.

In conclusion, deviations of the spine are frequent in the child population and in most cases, usually correspond to a banal symptom.

Before a child with back pain that lasts more than a day or that repeats without a known traumatic cause, it is advisable to go to the pediatrician. The doctor will assess if it is a non-specific pain or if you suffer from an organic back pain and will guide you on the treatment.

In the case of non-specific pain, we recommend avoiding rest, trying to make life as normal as possible and relieving the clinic with medication. In the case of organic pain, the treatment will depend on the specific pathology and is the responsibility of the specialist in child orthopedics.