a patient with a lumbosacral strain will typically report

by Dr. Tatum Medhurst 7 min read

Understanding Lumbosacral Strain - Saint Luke's Health …

6 hours ago Symptoms of lumbosacral strain. Symptoms may include: Pain in the back, often on one side. Pain that gets worse with movement and gets better with rest. Inability to move as freely as usual. Swelling, slight redness, and skin warmth in the painful area. Treatment for lumbosacral strain. Low back pain often goes away by itself within several weeks. >> Go To The Portal


Patients typically describe pain emanating in a band-like distribution from a central region in the lumbosacral spine. The pain is exacerbated by movement. They may report tightness along the lumbosacral paraspinal muscle region.

Full Answer

What is a strain on the lumbosacral area?

The lumbosacral area (low back) is between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the buttocks. A strain is tearing of muscles and tendons. These tears can be very small but still cause pain. Muscles and tendons connected to the spine can be strained in a number of ways:

Which lab studies are indicated in the workup of lumbar strain?

Lab studies are typically not indicated for lumbar strain. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and/or C-reactive protein (CRP) may be obtained to rule out infection or inflammatory arthritis when such suspicion exists.

What are the risk factors for lumbar strain?

Risk factors include repetitive or heavy lifting, prolonged abnormal position of the trunk (rotated, flexed, hyperextended), poor body mechanics or ergonomics, core weakness, and tight/weak hip girdle musculature (e.g., hamstrings, hip flexors). 3 Muscle pain due to lumbar strain may be due to:

What are the treatment goals for lumbar strain injury?

Treatment of lumbar strain injury is predominantly symptomatic. The treatment goal is to control pain and inflammation, optimize return to function, and prevent disability.

What is lumbosacral strain?

A lumbosacral strain is a medical term for an injury that causes low back pain. Specifically, the lumbosacral area refers to the low back and exists between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the buttocks. Generally speaking, a strain is defined as a tearing of muscles and tendons.

How is lumbar strain diagnosed?

How is lumbar strain diagnosed?X-ray. A diagnostic test that produces images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.Computed tomography scan (also called a CT or CAT scan). This is an imaging test that uses X-rays and a computer to make detailed images of the body.

What does lumbar strain feel like?

Symptoms to expect from a pulled lower back muscle—or any type of lower back strain—typically include: Dull, achy low back pain. Strained muscles usually feel sore, tight, or achy. Pain that feels hot, tingling, or electric is more likely caused by an irritated nerve root, not a pulled muscle.

What causes lumbar strain?

Lumbar muscle strain is caused when muscle fibers are abnormally stretched or torn. Lumbar sprain is caused when ligaments (the tough bands of tissue that hold bones together) are torn from their attachments. Both of these can result from a sudden injury or from gradual overuse.

Can lumbar strain cause hip pain?

Your lower back and hip are codependent structures. A problem in one of these structures can cause dysfunction and pain in the other. If you have chronic lower back pain, the movements in your hip may be reduced and the muscles surrounding your hip joint can become tense and painful.

What happens when you pull your back?

Throwing out your back can cause the following symptoms: back stiffness that keeps you from moving well. intense low back pain. muscle spasms, or intense bouts of muscle tightening and relaxing.

How do you know if you strained your back?

Symptoms of a strain or sprain include: Pain that gets worse when you move. Muscle cramping or spasms (sudden uncontrollable muscle contractions) Decreased function and/or range of motion of the joint (difficulty walking, bending forward or sideways, or standing straight)

How do you diagnose lower back pain?

If there is reason to suspect that a specific condition is causing your back pain, your doctor might order one or more tests:X-ray. These images show the alignment of your bones and whether you have arthritis or broken bones. ... MRI or CT scans. ... Blood tests. ... Bone scan. ... Nerve studies.

What happens when you pull a muscle?

The key symptoms of a muscle strain are: sudden pain that worsens while contracting the muscle, swelling and bruising, loss of strength and range of motion. People often report the sensation of pain as the feeling of being "stabbed." When muscle is initially injured, significant inflammation and swelling occurs.

What does lumbar mean in medical terms?

The part of the spine comprised of five vertebral bodies (L1-L5) that extend from the lower thoracic spine (chest) to the sacrum (bottom of the spine).

How do you know if you pulled a muscle in your lower back?

Symptoms of pulled muscle in lower backyour back hurting more when you move, less when you stay still.pain in your back radiating down into your buttocks but not typically extending into your legs.muscle cramps or spasms in your back.trouble walking or bending.difficulty standing up straight.

How to tell if lumbosacral strain is a symptom?

Symptoms of lumbosacral strain. Symptoms may include: Pain in the back, often on one side. Pain that gets worse with movement and gets better with rest. Inability to move as freely as usual. Swelling, slight redness, and skin warmth in the painful area.

How does a lumbosacral strain happen?

How a lumbosacral strain happens. Muscles and tendons connected to the spine can be strained in a number of ways: Sitting or standing in the same position for long periods of time. This can harm the low back over time. Poor posture can make low back pain more likely. Moving the muscles and tendons past their usual range of motion.

What is a lumbosacral strain?

Understanding Lumbosacral Strain. Lumbosacral strain is a medical term for an injury that causes low back pain. The lumbosacral area (low back) is between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the buttocks. A strain is tearing of muscles and tendons. These tears can be very small but still cause pain.

How long does it take for lumbosacral strain to go away?

Treatment for lumbosacral strain. Low back pain often goes away by itself within several weeks. But it often comes back. Treatment focuses on reducing pain and avoiding further injury. Bed rest is usually not recommended for low back pain. Treatments may include:

Can a lumbosacral strain be caused by a fall?

This can cause a sudden injury. This can happen when you twist, bend over, or lift something heavy. Not using correct technique for sports or tasks like lifting can make back injury more likely. Accidents or falls. Lumbosacral strain can be caused by other problems, but these are less common.

What is lumbar strain?

Lumbar strain is characterized by nonradiating low back pain associated with a mechanical stress or creating an abnormal position that puts the muscle beyond its limit .

What is the functional evaluation of lumbopelvic core strength?

Functional evaluation of lumbopelvic core strength can be assessed during the clinical exam through observation of trunk and hip control during single limb stance, presence of Trendelenburg gait, and assessment of ability to perform core exercises such as bridge, plank, and one leg step down.

What is the fifth most common reason for a doctor to see you?

Low back pain (LBP) is the fifth most common reason for all physician visits. Up to one-quarter of the population will have low back pain in any given year. Greater than 90% of the population will experience at least one episode of back pain during their lifetime. 1 Lumbar strain is the cause of low back pain in 70% of cases, and is most common between age 20 and 50. 2

Why does my lumbar muscle hurt?

Muscle pain due to lumbar strain may be due to: Muscle fiber tearing from indirect trauma, such as excessive stretch or tension. Muscle fatigue due to overuse. There may be a metabolic component due to an increased presence of lactic acid. Muscle spasm, which is associated with persistent muscle contraction.

What is muscle spasm?

Muscle spasm, which is associated with persistent muscle contraction. The reduction of blood flow with subsequent accumulation of metabolites may stimulate pain receptors in blood vessels. Muscle spasm can be a result of muscle fatigue or occur independently. Paraspinal muscles becoming deconditioned after injury.

How to heal a spasm in the back?

initiation of light cardiovascular training to improve blood flow to the back and promote healing as well as strengthen muscles in the abdomen and back. utilization of self-care modalities, including local application of ice or heat which may lessen symptoms of pain and spasm.

What is a physical examination?

Physical examination includes inspection of the lower back and extremities. In standing, a postural shift may be present. Lumbar range of motion may be limited and painful in any plane. There is typically tenderness over the lumbar paraspinal muscles or quadratus lumborum, with absence of spinous process tenderness.