What is Lumbosacral Strain

Lumbosacral strain is an injury that causes pain in the lower back (lumbosacral spine). This injury usually occurs from overstretching the muscles or ligaments along your spine. A strain can affect one or more muscles or cord-like tissues that connect bones to other bones (ligaments).

What are the causes?

This condition may be caused by:

• A hard, direct hit (blow) to the back.
• Excessive stretching of the lower back muscles. This may result from:
  • A fall.
  • Lifting something heavy.
  • Repetitive movements such as bending or crouching.

What increases the risk?

The following factors may increase your risk of getting this condition:

• Participating in sports or activities that involve:
  • A sudden twist of the back.
  • Pushing or pulling motions.
• Being overweight or obese.
• Having poor strength and flexibility, especially tight hamstrings or weak muscles in the back or abdomen.
• Having too much of a curve in the lower back.
• Having a pelvis that is tilted forward.

What are the signs or symptoms?

The main symptom of this condition is pain in the lower back, at the site of the strain. Pain may extend (radiate) down one or both legs.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on:

• Your symptoms.
• Your medical history.
• A physical exam.
  • Your health care provider may push on certain areas of your back to determine the source of your pain.
  • You may be asked to bend forward, backward, and side to side to assess the severity of your pain and your range of motion.
• Imaging tests, such as:
  • X-rays.
  • MRI.

How is this treated?

Treatment for this condition may include:

• Putting heat and cold on the affected area.
• Medicines to help relieve pain and relax your muscles (muscle relaxants).
• NSAIDs to help reduce swelling and discomfort.

When your symptoms improve, it is important to gradually return to your normal routine as soon as possible to reduce pain, avoid stiffness, and avoid loss of muscle strength. Generally, symptoms should improve within 6 weeks of treatment. However, recovery time varies.

Follow these instructions at home:

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• If directed, put ice on the injured area during the first 24 hours after your strain.
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
• If directed, put heat on the affected area as often as told by your health care provider. Use the heat source that your health care provider recommends, such as a moist heat pack or a heating pad.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the heat source.
  • Leave the heat on for 20–30 minutes.
  • Remove the heat if your skin turns bright red. This is especially important if you are unable to feel pain, heat, or cold. You may have a greater risk of getting burned.

Activity

• Rest and return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Avoid activities that take a lot of energy for as long as told by your health care provider.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Use correct form when playing sports and lifting heavy objects.
• Use good posture when sitting and standing.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Sleep on a mattress with medium firmness to support your back.
• Be safe and responsible while being active to avoid falls.
• Do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, such as brisk walking or water aerobics. Try a form of exercise that takes stress off your back, such as swimming or stationary cycling.
• Maintain physical fitness, including:
  • Strength.
  • Flexibility.
  • Cardiovascular fitness.
  • Endurance.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your back pain does not improve after 6 weeks of treatment.
• Your symptoms get worse.

Get help right away if:

• Your back pain is severe.
• You cannot stand or walk.
• You have difficulty controlling when you urinate or when you have a bowel movement.
• You feel nauseous or you vomit.
• Your feet get very cold.
• You have numbness, tingling, weakness, or problems using your arms or legs.
• You develop any of the following:
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Dizziness.
  • Pain in your legs.
  • Weakness in your buttocks or legs.
  • Discoloration of the skin on your toes or legs.