Back Pain in Adolescents

Back pain in adolescents and young adults: why it deserves proper investigation

myBackPain Assessment

A young person with back pain that isn’t settling?

The myBackPain assessment identifies the specific patterns more common in young people — spondylolysis, inflammatory back pain, and conditions that should not simply be dismissed as growing pains. Results in minutes.

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More
likely to have a specific cause than adults — the “probably mechanical” assumption is less appropriate
Always
investigate back pain in children under 10 — it is uncommon and always warrants assessment
Extension
aggravation in a young athlete is spondylolysis until proven otherwise
See your GP if your child or young person has:

Back pain lasting more than 4–6 weeks without improvement • Back pain worse with extension (leaning back) • Back pain in a young athlete, particularly in high-risk sports • Back pain with any neurological symptoms • Morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes • Back pain in a child under 10 — always investigate • Fever, weight loss, or fatigue alongside back pain.

Why adolescent back pain is different

Back pain in young people is more likely to have a specific identifiable cause than back pain in adults. The common adult assumption that “back pain is probably mechanical and will settle” is less appropriate in this age group. Specific conditions unique to or more common in adolescents include spondylolysis, Scheuermann’s disease, disc herniation in young athletes, and inflammatory spondyloarthritis.

Common causes by age

Under 10
Back pain is uncommon and always warrants investigation. Causes include infection, tumour, and developmental abnormalities. Do not attribute to growing pains.
10–15
Scheuermann’s disease (abnormal vertebral growth producing thoracic kyphosis), spondylolysis, spinal deformity (scoliosis), and growing pains.
15–25
Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, disc herniation (particularly in young athletes), axial spondyloarthritis (onset typically in late teens to twenties), mechanical back pain.

Scheuermann’s disease

Scheuermann’s disease is a developmental condition in which the vertebral bodies in the thoracic spine grow abnormally, producing a characteristic increased forward curve (kyphosis). More common in boys, it typically presents during the adolescent growth spurt with mid back pain and a visible rounded posture. Treatment includes physiotherapy, postural exercise, and occasionally bracing. Surgery is rarely required.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form, affecting approximately 2–3% of adolescents, more commonly girls. Mild scoliosis is often asymptomatic. Significant curves may cause pain and cosmetic concerns. School screening programmes identify many cases, but assessment is warranted if you notice asymmetry in your child’s posture.

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Download the Back Pain in Adolescents Fact SheetPDF — printable summary to share with your GP or practitioner

A young person with back pain that isn’t settling?

The myBackPain assessment identifies the specific patterns more common in young people and guides appropriate next steps.

Take the Assessment →

£12.99  •  Personalised report  •  No subscription

Related conditions

SpondylolysisThe pars stress fracture most common in young athletesAnkylosing Spondylitis / AxSpAInflammatory back pain that often starts in the teens or twentiesBack StrainThe most common cause — but less likely to be the whole picture in young peopleAll Back Pain ConditionsBrowse the full condition library