Case Study: Managing Lumbar Scoliosis In A Teenage Basketball Athlete

• Provider: Dr. Dawn Harrell, DC, DAT, ATC
• Clinic: Bear Paw Chiropractic | Humble TX

PATIENT SNAPSHOT

• Name: Withheld For Privacy
• Age/Sex: 14 Year-Old Female
• Occupation: Full-Time Student | Competitive Basketball Athlete
• Presenting Concern: Persistent low back pain and lower leg discomfort, especially with activity. No recent trauma.

This driven young athlete trains year-round, playing basketball at a competitive level. Her symptoms gradually developed over time—an all-too-common story for teens under repetitive physical stress.

Clinical Presentation & Assessment

When she arrived at Bear Paw Chiropractic, she reported:

1. PRIMARY SYMPTOMS
   • Low back pain with activity
   • Occasional lower leg discomfort (non-radiating)
2. PHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS
   • Full muscle strength in lower extremities (5/5 strength in quads, hams, calves, tibialis)
   • Normal reflexes (2+ Achilles/quads), symmetrical sensation
   • No signs of neurological involvement
   • Palpable tightness and tenderness along paraspinal musculature

IMAGING RESULTS

• Initial X-ray (Feb 2024): 25° lumbar scoliosis curve
• Follow-up X-ray (Mar 2025): Marked improvement—now only mild rotation at thoracolumbar junction with minimal lateral deviation

This structural shift represented meaningful progress—a testament to both the care approach and her compliance with home guidance.

DIAGNOSIS

• Lumbar scoliosis with mechanical low back pain
• Secondary compensatory leg discomfort from altered biomechanics during sport

Treatment Plan

Duration: February 2024 – March 2025 (ongoing as needed)

SPINAL ADJUSTMENTS

• Weekly chiropractic care—primarily Arthrostim-assisted to accommodate comfort
• Manual adjustments included as needed
• Adjustments to lumbar, thoracic, and cervical regions to support posture and neuromuscular control

SOFT TISSUE RELEASE

• Active Release Technique (ART) targeting paraspinals and iliopsoas
• Specific focus on reducing muscular tension impacting the lumbar curve

ATHLETIC CARE & EDUCATION

• Continued basketball participation with emphasis on movement hygiene
• Personalized stretching and strengthening routines
• Movement pattern corrections to reduce compensatory strain

Outcomes

STRUCTRUAL

• 25° lumbar curvature improved to a mild rotation with no major deviation (confirmed via follow-up imaging)

SYMPTOM RELIEF

• Noticeable decrease in low back and leg discomfort
• Greater tolerance to high-impact training sessions

FUNCTIONAL WINS

• Full return to competitive basketball
• No current limitations in practice or play

Prognosis & Ongoing Recommendations

• Prognosis: Excellent, due to early scoliosis detection and consistent intervention
• Care Maintenance: Periodic adjustments for structural support and neuromuscular alignment
• Monitoring: Annual X-rays advised through final growth stages
• At-Home Plan: Continued postural exercises and sport-specific core training

Dr. Harrell’s Final Insight

“When you’re 14 and chasing dreams on the basketball court, the last thing you want holding you back is back pain. This case reminds us of how proactive care—rooted in movement, structure, and the individuality of growing athletes—can completely change a young person’s path. Early intervention matters. Education matters. And so does listening to the athlete behind the X-ray.”