Back Injuries Summary Your back is made of bones, muscles, and other tissues extending from your neck to your pelvis. Back injuries can result from sports injuries, work around the house or in the garden, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident. The lower back is the most common site of back injuries and back pain. Common back injuries include Sprains and strains Herniated disks Fractured vertebrae These injuries can cause pain and limit your movement. Treatments vary but might include medicines, icing, bed rest, physical therapy, or surgery. You might be able to prevent some back injuries by maintaining a healthy weight, lifting objects with your legs, and using lower-back support when you sit. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Health Check Tools Back Injury DSHI Systems Array Back pain – returning to work Back pain and sports Lifting and bending the right way Returning to sports after a back injury Spinal fusion – slideshow Vertebroplasty – slideshow Start Here Back Pain at Work: Preventing Pain and Injury Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Treatments and Therapies Back Surgery: When Is It a Good Idea? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Vertebroplasty for Spine Fracture Pain American Academy of Family Physicians Diagnosis and Tests Bone X-Ray (Radiography) Array Computed Tomography (CT) – Spine Array Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – Spine Array Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Back Injuries National Institutes of Health Encyclopedia Compression fractures of the back Lumbosacral spine x-ray Spinal fusion Find an Expert Find a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Find a Physical Therapist American Physical Therapy Association National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Specifics Fractures of the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Prevention and Risk Factors Lifting Safety: Tips To Help Prevent Back Injuries American Academy of Family Physicians Journal Articles Back Injuries Living With Spine Conditioning Program American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
