Spinous process apophysitis is an injury to an apophysis in the low back. An apophysis is a growth plate at the end of a bone where a muscle, ligament, or tendon is attached. The spinous process is the back part of your spine that you can feel under the skin. Signs and Symptoms

back pain in the middle of the low back pain that is worse with arching backwards

tenderness at the spinous process point

Increased Risk

having an increased lordotic curve (sway back) in lumbar spine sports that require hyperextension of the back over and over (gymnastics, dance)

starting dance or gymnastics at a young age poor physical conditioning, especially with differences in strength, flexibility, and neuromuscular control

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

Use of cold and heat

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 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.

Taking a break from painful activity for a few weeks can reduce pain and let the injury heal. Elastic lumbar corset

A soft brace called a lumbar corset may be used along with rest to relieve pain.

Exercises

Exercises to improve strength and flexibility may be suggested when the pain starts to go away to help learn proper back mechanics. These can be done at home, but your health care provider may make a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer.

How to Prevent

Use proper technique. Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition.

Maintain correct conditioning, back and hamstring flexibility, back strength and endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.

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 have numbness, weakness, or loss of bowel or bladder function new, unexplained symptoms develop

  Sports Medicine: Spinous Process Apophysitis (PDF) HH-I-525 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Spinous process apophysitis is an injury to an apophysis in the low back. An apophysis is a growth plate at the end of a bone where a muscle, ligament, or tendon is attached. The spinous process is the back part of your spine that you can feel under the skin. Signs and Symptoms

back pain in the middle of the low back pain that is worse with arching backwards

tenderness at the spinous process point

Increased Risk

having an increased lordotic curve (sway back) in lumbar spine sports that require hyperextension of the back over and over (gymnastics, dance)

starting dance or gymnastics at a young age poor physical conditioning, especially with differences in strength, flexibility, and neuromuscular control

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

Use of cold and heat

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 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.

Taking a break from painful activity for a few weeks can reduce pain and let the injury heal. Elastic lumbar corset

A soft brace called a lumbar corset may be used along with rest to relieve pain.

Exercises

Exercises to improve strength and flexibility may be suggested when the pain starts to go away to help learn proper back mechanics. These can be done at home, but your health care provider may make a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer.

How to Prevent

Use proper technique. Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition.

Maintain correct conditioning, back and hamstring flexibility, back strength and endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.

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 have numbness, weakness, or loss of bowel or bladder function new, unexplained symptoms develop

  Sports Medicine: Spinous Process Apophysitis (PDF) HH-I-525 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Spinous process apophysitis is an injury to an apophysis in the low back. An apophysis is a growth plate at the end of a bone where a muscle, ligament, or tendon is attached. The spinous process is the back part of your spine that you can feel under the skin. Signs and Symptoms

back pain in the middle of the low back pain that is worse with arching backwards

tenderness at the spinous process point

Increased Risk

having an increased lordotic curve (sway back) in lumbar spine sports that require hyperextension of the back over and over (gymnastics, dance)

starting dance or gymnastics at a young age poor physical conditioning, especially with differences in strength, flexibility, and neuromuscular control

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

Use of cold and heat

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 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.

Taking a break from painful activity for a few weeks can reduce pain and let the injury heal. Elastic lumbar corset

A soft brace called a lumbar corset may be used along with rest to relieve pain.

Exercises

Exercises to improve strength and flexibility may be suggested when the pain starts to go away to help learn proper back mechanics. These can be done at home, but your health care provider may make a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer.

How to Prevent

Use proper technique. Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition.

Maintain correct conditioning, back and hamstring flexibility, back strength and endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.

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 have numbness, weakness, or loss of bowel or bladder function new, unexplained symptoms develop

  Sports Medicine: Spinous Process Apophysitis (PDF) HH-I-525 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Spinous process apophysitis is an injury to an apophysis in the low back. An apophysis is a growth plate at the end of a bone where a muscle, ligament, or tendon is attached. The spinous process is the back part of your spine that you can feel under the skin.

Signs and Symptoms

back pain in the middle of the low back pain that is worse with arching backwards

tenderness at the spinous process point

Increased Risk

having an increased lordotic curve (sway back) in lumbar spine sports that require hyperextension of the back over and over (gymnastics, dance)

starting dance or gymnastics at a young age poor physical conditioning, especially with differences in strength, flexibility, and neuromuscular control

Treatment

  • Medicine
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.
  • Other minor pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol®).
  • Use of cold and heat
  • 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 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.
  • Taking a break from painful activity for a few weeks can reduce pain and let the injury heal.
  • Elastic lumbar corset
  • A soft brace called a lumbar corset may be used along with rest to relieve pain.
  • Exercises
  • Exercises to improve strength and flexibility may be suggested when the pain starts to go away to help learn proper back mechanics. These can be done at home, but your health care provider may make a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer.

How to Prevent

Use proper technique. Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition.

Maintain correct conditioning, back and hamstring flexibility, back strength and endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.

When to Call the Health Care Provider

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

back pain in the middle of the low back pain that is worse with arching backwards

tenderness at the spinous process point

  • back pain in the middle of the low back

  • pain that is worse with arching backwards

  • tenderness at the spinous process point

having an increased lordotic curve (sway back) in lumbar spine sports that require hyperextension of the back over and over (gymnastics, dance)

starting dance or gymnastics at a young age poor physical conditioning, especially with differences in strength, flexibility, and neuromuscular control

  • having an increased lordotic curve (sway back) in lumbar spine

  • sports that require hyperextension of the back over and over (gymnastics, dance)

  • starting dance or gymnastics at a young age

  • poor physical conditioning, especially with differences in strength, flexibility, and neuromuscular control

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

  • Other minor pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

  • 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 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.

  • A soft brace called a lumbar corset may be used along with rest to relieve pain.

  • Exercises to improve strength and flexibility may be suggested when the pain starts to go away to help learn proper back mechanics. These can be done at home, but your health care provider may make a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer.

Use proper technique. Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition.

Maintain correct conditioning, back and hamstring flexibility, back strength and endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.

  • Use proper technique.

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

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

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

  • you have numbness, weakness, or loss of bowel or bladder function

  • new, unexplained symptoms develop

 

Sports Medicine: Spinous Process Apophysitis (PDF)

HH-I-525 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online