Level 4
Starship Children's Health
2 Park Road
Grafton
Auckland
Level 4
Starship Children's Health
2 Park Road
Grafton
Auckland
Department of Orthopaedics
Private Bag 92024
Auckland Mail Centre
Auckland 1142
Outpatient appointments:
(09) 367 0000 ext 22492
Surgical booking enquiries:
(09) 367 0000 ext 22494
Nurse Specialist - Paediatric Spine
021938148
GP/External Specialist Help Desk: (09) 3072800
All referrals to Starship Paediatric Spine must be done through your family doctor or specialist. If you live outside the Auckland region, referrals must come via your local hospital.
Website
Back pain in children is abnormal and should be investigated thoroughly. There are a large variety of causes for back pain, ranging from benign musculoskeletal pain to more sinister causes such as spinal cord tumours. Luckily, the vast majority of back pain in children is post-traumatic in nature, and is due to musculoskeletal strain. This type of pain is usually self-limiting, and can be treated with conservative measures such as oral analgesia and rest. Back pain that is not self-limiting, and persists beyond two to three weeks should be investigated.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible if your child has back pain accompanied by:
Diagnosing the Cause of Back Pain
X-rays
The doctor may take several x-ray pictures of the spine and pelvis from various angles.
Bone Scan
Useful for diagnosing subtle bone fractures that may not show up on a routine x-ray. Bone scans are also useful for detecting infection or tumours.
CT Scan
Computerised Tomography uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce more detailed images of bones and internal organs. It creates cross-sectional images (like slices) of the inside of the body.
MRI Scan
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body. It is used to evaluate the spinal cord and spinal nerves which cannot be seen on an ordinary x-ray.
Lab Tests
Laboratory tests may include checking white and red blood cells (complete blood-cell count) and looking for system-wide inflammation (measuring erythrocyte sedimentation rate).
Classification of back pain:
1. Mechanical problems
Muscle strain in the middle or lower back gets better on its own with rest. Many teenagers may have "mechanical low back pain". This is often related to tight hamstrings and weak abdominal muscles. These individuals seem to do well with a physical therapy program stressing hamstring stretching and abdominal strengthening.
2. Developmental abnormalities
3. Inflammatory and infectious diseases
4. Neoplastic disorders/tumours
Treatment
Facts about back pain in children
https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/public/spinal/starship-paediatric-spine-service/