Teenage Chronic Lower Back Pain

Chronic lower back pain lasts three months or longer and often becomes worse over time, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Although the condition is more common in adults, teenagers sometimes develop chronic lower back pain because of injuries or health problems.

Causes

• Chronic lower back pain in teens is often caused by injuries to the bones, vertebrae, nerves, discs and/or tissues in the spine, according to an article by pediatrician Julian Huang on Spine-health.com. Scoliosis, a spinal infection, Scheuermann's disease or a spinal tumor can also cause chronic lower back pain in teenagers, according to Huang.

Symptoms

• Teenagers with chronic back pain often experience burning, tingling or painful sensations in their lower back and/or legs, according to an article by Laurie Udesky on Back.com.

Diagnosis

• Physicians use imaging tests, such as an X-ray, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging scan or myelogram, to determine the part of the spine a teenager has injured, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Medications

• Symptoms of chronic back pain can sometimes be reduced with over-the-counter analgesic pills, such as ibuprofen. Sometimes a doctor will prescribe antidepressants, such as amitriptyline or desipramine, or opioids to reduce pain in teens with chronic lower back pain.

Surgery

• Sometimes a doctor will need to perform surgery on teens with chronic lower back pain to repair damaged vertebrae or discs in the spine, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Prevention

• It is possible for teens to prevent chronic lower back pain by wearing safety equipment when they are playing sports, doing exercises that strengthen the muscles in their back and/or losing weight.