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Back pain in children and teenagers
- The Portland Hospital is the only private hospital in the UK dedicated to treating children
- The first private hospital to use the EOsedge low radiation X-ray scanner
- Home to the Scoliosis and Spinal Surgery Centre
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BACK PAIN IN CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
At The Portland Hospital, we’re experts in treating a range of back conditions in children and teenagers, from common muscular strains and spinal conditions, such as scoliosis, to rare spinal tumours.
We work with leading paediatric spinal specialists, whose expertise is supported by the latest diagnostics to find the source of your child’s pain as quickly as possible. Your child will receive a personalised treatment plan that’s unique to them and, if they need surgery, this will be carried out in our state-of-the-art facilities, purpose-built for our young patients.
We work with leading paediatric spinal specialists, whose expertise is supported by the latest diagnostics to find the source of your child’s pain as quickly as possible. Your child will receive a personalised treatment plan that’s unique to them and, if they need surgery, this will be carried out in our state-of-the-art facilities, purpose-built for our young patients.
It’s important that any persistent back pain is checked by a specialist, so that a cause can be found and anything more serious ruled out. This is especially important if your child’s back pain isn’t improving. Our expert consultants are here to help and are happy to talk through any concerns you may have.
Most back pain is muscular and likely to get better with some light exercises, stretching and rest. However, if your child’s back pain is accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms, this could indicate that they have a more serious condition:
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Weakness or numbness
- Trouble walking
- Bowel or bladder problems
- Pain that disturbs sleep
- Change in the shape of the spine
Our specialist orthopaedic paediatricians will carry out a full examination, which involves asking questions about your child’s back pain and their general health and lifestyle, including any sports and activities that they enjoy. Your consultant will also physically examine your child to check:
- Their posture, identifying any signs of spine curvature
- How they walk
- How much they can bend their back
- The site of pain, stiffness, weakness or numbness
At The Portland Hospital , we treat the whole range of back conditions in children, from common to complex.
These include:
Muscular strain:
This is usually caused by children carrying very heavy school bags or twisting and straining their back while playing sport. Muscular pain could also be an indicator of tight hamstring muscles, weak abdominal muscles, bad posture and poor conditioning of the muscles in the back.
Common signs that your child is suffering from muscular strain is pain and stiffness, particularly in the lower back, that gets worse when they bend, stretch, cough or sneeze. Sometimes this pain can spread down into the buttocks and the back of the thigh. It will get better with regular light exercises and stretches to aid flexibility.
Spinal conditions:
These are either caused by an injury, for example if the spine has been fractured, or from a malformation of the spine.
The conditions we treat include scoliosis, kyphosis, spinal arthritis, spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, herniated disc, stress fracture, spinal stenosis and osteoporosis.
Infection:
In rare circumstances, back pain in children can be a sign of an infection of the bone or disc in the spine.
Symptoms include generalised back pain, fever and feeling unwell. In most cases, the infection can be treated with antibiotics but occasionally surgery is required if damage to the spinal structure is likely.
If your child is suffering from back pain alongside a fever, book to see one of our specialists so you can get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Tumour:
This is also very rare. Tumours often develop in the middle or lower back, causing constant pain that gets worse over time. Nighttime pain may disturb your child’s sleep.
The treatment options available to your child will depend on the nature and extent of their symptoms. Muscular back pain will get better with regular light exercises and stretches to aid flexibility. In most cases, an infection can be treated with antibiotics.
Occasionally, surgery is required to treat back pain which is caused by deformity, nerve compression or structural abnormality. Your child’s consultant will discuss their recommendations once they’ve made a diagnosis. They’ll also be on hand to answer any questions that you, or your child, might have about treatment and recovery.
Occasionally, surgery is required to treat back pain which is caused by deformity, nerve compression or structural abnormality. Your child’s consultant will discuss their recommendations once they’ve made a diagnosis. They’ll also be on hand to answer any questions that you, or your child, might have about treatment and recovery.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic and spinal care
1st
private hospital to install a low-radiation X-ray scanner
24-hour
one-to-one care
Fast access to specialists
Appointments confirmed within 24 hours
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours
Treatments for complex conditions
We focus our breadth of expertise on your child
Worried about your child’s back pain?
Get in touch and book a same- or next-day GP appointment.
Have a referral and need to book?
If you already have a referral letter for your child, it couldn’t be simpler. You can book a test or treatment directly.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
We’re happy to help. Just book in and one of our consultants will talk you through everything you need to know.
BACK PAIN TESTS & SCANS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS AT HCA UK
A diagnosis you can trust
We offer state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities at The Portland Hospital, which are purpose-built for our young patients. Your child will have access to the latest tests and scans, including the EOSedge. This low-dose X-ray scanner allows us to scan your child’s entire spine in less than 20 seconds while they’re seated or standing.
We understand how worrying waiting for results can be, especially when it’s for your child, so we aim to deliver test and scan results in as little as 48 hours.
The scans and tests we offer, include:
- Blood tests
- MRI scan
- EOSedge (low-dose X-ray)
- Ultrasound
TREATING BACK PAIN IN CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS AT HCA UK
Expert care for your child
Our breadth of expertise means we can treat everything from common muscular strains to complex spinal conditions. We’re proud to offer a Spinal and Scoliosis Centre at The Portland Hospital, which has dedicated facilities to diagnose and treat your child. Our team of spinal surgeons, neurosurgeons and physiotherapists offer exceptional, wraparound care for children with a wide range of spinal conditions.
Our spinal team meets regularly to discuss paediatric patient cases in depth, ensuring that your child benefits from the best all-round knowledge, advice and treatment for their specific condition.
Some of the treatments we offer, include:
Our spinal team meets regularly to discuss paediatric patient cases in depth, ensuring that your child benefits from the best all-round knowledge, advice and treatment for their specific condition.
Some of the treatments we offer, include:
- Physiotherapy and exercises to carry out at home
- Medicine, such as antibiotics
- Surgery
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance for your child to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote from the start, outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Back pain in children and teenagers FAQs
Muscular back pain should get better over time with light exercise. But if your child’s back pain doesn’t improve, it could indicate that they have a spinal condition. This may have been caused by an injury, particularly if the spine has been fractured. It may also be an early warning sign that they have a malformation of their spine.
It’s a good idea to book in with a specialist, if:
It’s a good idea to book in with a specialist, if:
- You notice your child has an unusually shaped back
- Their shoulders are misaligned
- Their spine has been fractured
- They experience numbness and tingling in the legs
- They have trouble walking and experience bowel and bladder problems
- They experience a great deal of pain, aggravated by standing, sitting, twisting and bending, which is only eased when resting
Back pain in children can be developmental or acquired. Your child could have been born with a condition that led to the pain (developmental), or they could have received an injury or suffered an illness since (acquired).
Acute back pain
Acute back pain is back pain that typically lasts between three to six months. This is usually the result of damaged tissue.
Chronic back pain
If your child’s back pain lasts longer than six months, they may have chronic back pain. This can be caused by poor posture, weak core muscles or strain from being overweight. It can also be the result of conditions such as scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine. Scoliosis can either develop when your child is young or first become apparent during adolescence.
Neuropathic back pain
Neuropathic back pain happens when your child’s body continues to feel pain even though there’s no tissue damage. This happens when a nerve in your child’s spine has become compressed, possibly by a herniated disc or an injury.
Our patient stories
A life changing procedure
When Hattie first felt her back hurting in March 2019, her parents didn’t immediately think it was anything serious. However a scan in October showed a significant curvature of Hattie’s spine.
Diagnosing her with scoliosis, Hattie’s paediatrician referred her for further investigation and a consultation at The Portland Hospital, with consultant orthopaedic and spine surgeon Mr Jonathan Lucas.
Jack's Spinal Scoliosis story
Jack’s mother Jaime noticed his shoulder blades were slightly uneven in March 2020, at the start of the UK COVID-19 lockdown. After being faced with a long wait for a referral, a chance recommendation led Jaime to turn to The Portland Hospital. Here Jaime shares their story and explain why this surgery was so important.
Julie's scoliosis journey
When Julie was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of seven, her case was already more complex than most.
“As soon as I walked into that hospital it just felt like everything was going to be alright... I felt at ease, and I think that’s hard to find.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.