A Schmorl’s node is a bulge (protrusion) of the jelly-like contents of the vertebral disc into the growth cartilage of bone (vertebra) above or below the disc. The disc acts like a cushion and shock absorber between the spinal column (vertebrae). It most often occurs in the mid-back in adolescents because at this age the spine is still growing and more at risk of injury. Signs and Symptoms

many times there are no symptoms occasional aching back

muscle spasms or stiffness of back muscles

Increased Risk

sports that increase downward pressure or spine twisting (gymnastics, football) males adolescents

motor vehicle accident family history of back pain or disc disorder poor lifting techniques or sitting with poor posture for long periods

Treatment

Medicine can help with inflammation and pain.

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Oral steroids or a steroid injection may be recommended to reduce swelling.

Cold and heat may be used.

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Exercises to improve range of motion, strength, and flexibility may be recommended. These can be done at home but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be prescribed by your health care provider. Bracing may be helpful in some cases to decrease pain. In more severe cases that do not get better with bracing or rehab exercises, surgery may be needed.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Use proper lifting and posture techniques when lifting or sitting for long periods.

Maintain proper conditioning, back and hamstring flexibility, muscle strength and endurance and cardiovascular fitness. Maintain a proper body weight.

When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

symptoms get worse after 2 to 4 weeks, even with treatment you develop numbness, weakness or loss of bowel or bladder functions new, unexplained symptoms develop

  Sports Medicine: Schmorl’s Nodes (PDF) HH-I-535 ©2021, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

A Schmorl’s node is a bulge (protrusion) of the jelly-like contents of the vertebral disc into the growth cartilage of bone (vertebra) above or below the disc. The disc acts like a cushion and shock absorber between the spinal column (vertebrae). It most often occurs in the mid-back in adolescents because at this age the spine is still growing and more at risk of injury. Signs and Symptoms

many times there are no symptoms occasional aching back

muscle spasms or stiffness of back muscles

Increased Risk

sports that increase downward pressure or spine twisting (gymnastics, football) males adolescents

motor vehicle accident family history of back pain or disc disorder poor lifting techniques or sitting with poor posture for long periods

Treatment

Medicine can help with inflammation and pain.

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Oral steroids or a steroid injection may be recommended to reduce swelling.

Cold and heat may be used.

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Exercises to improve range of motion, strength, and flexibility may be recommended. These can be done at home but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be prescribed by your health care provider. Bracing may be helpful in some cases to decrease pain. In more severe cases that do not get better with bracing or rehab exercises, surgery may be needed.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Use proper lifting and posture techniques when lifting or sitting for long periods.

Maintain proper conditioning, back and hamstring flexibility, muscle strength and endurance and cardiovascular fitness. Maintain a proper body weight.

When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

symptoms get worse after 2 to 4 weeks, even with treatment you develop numbness, weakness or loss of bowel or bladder functions new, unexplained symptoms develop

  Sports Medicine: Schmorl’s Nodes (PDF) HH-I-535 ©2021, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

A Schmorl’s node is a bulge (protrusion) of the jelly-like contents of the vertebral disc into the growth cartilage of bone (vertebra) above or below the disc. The disc acts like a cushion and shock absorber between the spinal column (vertebrae). It most often occurs in the mid-back in adolescents because at this age the spine is still growing and more at risk of injury. Signs and Symptoms

many times there are no symptoms occasional aching back

muscle spasms or stiffness of back muscles

Increased Risk

sports that increase downward pressure or spine twisting (gymnastics, football) males adolescents

motor vehicle accident family history of back pain or disc disorder poor lifting techniques or sitting with poor posture for long periods

Treatment

Medicine can help with inflammation and pain.

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Oral steroids or a steroid injection may be recommended to reduce swelling.

Cold and heat may be used.

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Exercises to improve range of motion, strength, and flexibility may be recommended. These can be done at home but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be prescribed by your health care provider. Bracing may be helpful in some cases to decrease pain. In more severe cases that do not get better with bracing or rehab exercises, surgery may be needed.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Use proper lifting and posture techniques when lifting or sitting for long periods.

Maintain proper conditioning, back and hamstring flexibility, muscle strength and endurance and cardiovascular fitness. Maintain a proper body weight.

When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

symptoms get worse after 2 to 4 weeks, even with treatment you develop numbness, weakness or loss of bowel or bladder functions new, unexplained symptoms develop

  Sports Medicine: Schmorl’s Nodes (PDF) HH-I-535 ©2021, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

A Schmorl’s node is a bulge (protrusion) of the jelly-like contents of the vertebral disc into the growth cartilage of bone (vertebra) above or below the disc. The disc acts like a cushion and shock absorber between the spinal column (vertebrae). It most often occurs in the mid-back in adolescents because at this age the spine is still growing and more at risk of injury.

Signs and Symptoms

many times there are no symptoms occasional aching back

muscle spasms or stiffness of back muscles

Increased Risk

sports that increase downward pressure or spine twisting (gymnastics, football) males adolescents

motor vehicle accident family history of back pain or disc disorder poor lifting techniques or sitting with poor posture for long periods

Treatment

  • Medicine can help with inflammation and pain.
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.
  • Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).
  • Oral steroids or a steroid injection may be recommended to reduce swelling.
  • Cold and heat may be used.
  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.
  • Heat may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Exercises to improve range of motion, strength, and flexibility may be recommended. These can be done at home but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be prescribed by your health care provider.
  • Bracing may be helpful in some cases to decrease pain.
  • In more severe cases that do not get better with bracing or rehab exercises, surgery may be needed.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Use proper lifting and posture techniques when lifting or sitting for long periods.

Maintain proper conditioning, back and hamstring flexibility, muscle strength and endurance and cardiovascular fitness. Maintain a proper body weight.

When to Call the Health Care Provider

Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

many times there are no symptoms occasional aching back

muscle spasms or stiffness of back muscles

  • many times there are no symptoms

  • occasional aching back

  • muscle spasms or stiffness of back muscles

sports that increase downward pressure or spine twisting (gymnastics, football) males adolescents

motor vehicle accident family history of back pain or disc disorder poor lifting techniques or sitting with poor posture for long periods

  • sports that increase downward pressure or spine twisting (gymnastics, football)

  • males

  • adolescents

  • motor vehicle accident

  • family history of back pain or disc disorder

  • poor lifting techniques or sitting with poor posture for long periods

  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.

  • Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

  • Oral steroids or a steroid injection may be recommended to reduce swelling.

  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.

  • Heat may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Use proper lifting and posture techniques when lifting or sitting for long periods.

Maintain proper conditioning, back and hamstring flexibility, muscle strength and endurance and cardiovascular fitness. Maintain a proper body weight.

  • Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition.

  • Use proper lifting and posture techniques when lifting or sitting for long periods.

  • Maintain proper conditioning, back and hamstring flexibility, muscle strength and endurance and cardiovascular fitness.

  • Maintain a proper body weight.

  • symptoms get worse after 2 to 4 weeks, even with treatment

  • you develop numbness, weakness or loss of bowel or bladder functions

  • new, unexplained symptoms develop

 

Sports Medicine: Schmorl’s Nodes (PDF)

HH-I-535 ©2021, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online