Assessing and Treating Athletes With Extension-Oriented
Low Back Pain (Recorded Webinar)

Presented by Kyle Kiesel and Kyle Matsel

Assessing and Treating Athletes With Extension-Oriented Low Back Pain (Recorded Webinar)

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Video Runtime: 48 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 23 Minutes

Sports medicine professionals who evaluate and treat athletes with low back pain (LBP) should clearly identify a directional preference (flexion or extension) to complement the associated medical diagnosis. In the case of an extension-oriented problem, imaging should be obtained to allow for accurate classification of any bony lesion present. Staging of lumbar spondylolysis to include early, progressive, or terminal needs to be considered to best form a plan of care and return-to-sport target date. Rehabilitation efforts should include standard core stabilization, and an emphasis should be placed on identifying and correcting common movement impairments often not identified in routine LBP care. Finally, discharge testing should include clearing known movement-oriented risk factors to maximize the probability of a successful return to sport and minimization of reinjury.

Meet your instructors

Kyle Kiesel

Dr. Kiesel is a professor of physical therapy at the University of Evansville and a cofounder of the Functional Movement System. During his 20 years in academics, he has spent nine years directing programs in athletic training and physical therapy. His areas of research include motor control of the core, breathing, and…

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Kyle Matsel

Dr. Matsel is a tenured associate professor at the University of Evansville, where he teaches in the musculoskeletal content areas of the Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Evansville in 2011 and his PhD in rehabilitation sciences from the University…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Introduction and Diagnosis

1. Introduction and Diagnosis

Approximately 30 percent of athletes will experience LBP, and as many as 75 percent of elite athletes will have at least one LBP episode causing them to miss time. In this chapter, clinical testing and the most accurate medical diagnostic test will be discussed.

Rehabilitation Phases

2. Rehabilitation Phases

In this chapter, we cover the three stages of spondylolysis/spondylolisthesis, a common cause of extension-oriented LBP. Key associated movement impairments will be discussed, and the principles of a three-phase rehabilitation program will be covered.

Return to Play, Discharge, and Emerging Perspectives

3. Return to Play, Discharge, and Emerging Perspectives

This chapter will discuss the key measures associated with return to play and discharge. It is important that the sports medicine professional recognize that these normally occur at different time points. Emerging evidence related to promising prevention and treatments for athletes with LBP will be discussed.

Question and Answer

4. Question and Answer

This chapter will go over the question and answer portion of the webinar with Dr. Kyle Kiesel and Dr. Kyle Matsel.