Answer:
Dear
Madyhikop,
A stress
fracture, medically known as Spondylolysis, is the most common overuse
injury of the lower back in sport.
The most
common site for Spondylolysis is the bottom-most lumbar vertebra,
called L5, where the mobile lumbar spine meets the fixed pelvis.
This
is because this vertebra is subject to most stress during sports.
The continuous
hyperextension common in sports such as hockey is one of the causes
of L5 stress fracture.
When
your pain decreases to the level that you can start physical therapy,
rehabilitation focuses on strengthening and stretching the abdominal
muscles, the lumbar spine muscles, and other core muscles.
Return
to play hockey can take several weeks to many months.
Some
doctors do not wait for x-rays to show complete healing of the region,
but rather they slowly allow the player to get back to play hockey
as his symptoms improve and he can tolerate the demands of the sport.
You can
play hockey as long as you do not have pain.
You may
need to change hockey to one sport that does not involve hyperextending
the back.
If your
doctor thinks the break is new and that the bones could heal, he or
she may recommend wearing a brace for one to three months.
Spondylolysis
is a chronic problem. It is very important to keep your back in the
best possible physical condition.
Do not
become overweight.
You can
best prevent these conditions by having strong back and abdominal
muscles and by avoiding being overweight.
If you
have spondylolysis you may be able to prevent progression to spondylolisthesis
by doing back exercises and by avoiding forced back extension activities.
It is
important to have strong abdominal muscles when the structures of
your spine are weakened. These exercises help build strong stomach
muscles.
The goal
of rehabilitation is to return you to play hockey as soon as is safely
possible.
If you
return too soon you may worsen your injury, which could lead to permanent
damage.
Everyone
recovers from injury at a different rate.
Return
to play hockey will be determined by how soon your back recovers,
not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury occurred.
In general,
the longer you have symptoms before you start treatment, the longer
it will take to get better.
It is
important that you have fully recovered from your low back pain before
you return to play hockey or any strenuous activity.
You must
be able to have the same range of motion that you had before your
injury.
You must
be able to run, jump and twist without pain.
