Metabolic Spinal disorders in the young athlete

Abstract

The most important clinical consequences of metabolic spinal diseases in children and adolescents include bone deformations, decreased linear growth, and non-traumatic fractures leading to bone pain and disability. The abnormal bone morphology, mineralization, or microarchitecture of vertebrae can lead to poor mechanical properties and bone failure under loads experienced during athletics. In this chapter, we review basic bone physiology and growth, and discuss various metabolic bone diseases in children. These include primary and secondary osteoporosis, hormonal abnormalities, nutritional deficiencies, and other genetic bone diseases. When a patient presents with spinal pain, a detailed history and physical exam are an essential component of the workup to lead to a correct diagnosis. The presenting visit is also an excellent time to screen for potential risk factors for overall poor skeletal health; thus, reviewing physical activity, nutritional requirements, and hormonal balance is important.