Spinal Pain Prevalence and Characteristics among Male Athletes with Disabilities

Introduction: Chronic pain is a serious secondary problem for many individuals with disabilities. Materials and Methods: A total of 231 disabled athletes invited to compete in a multi- sport national sports tournament for para-athletes in Ahvaz, Iran, participated in the study to be investigated whether spinal pain (SP) prevalence and characteristics are different among different sports and disabilities. Athletes’ demographic information, SP prevalence, characteristics, and disability using the athlete disability index questionnaire were obtained. SP prevalence, characteristics, and factors affecting SP intensity and disability caused by low back pain (LBP) were determined as primary outcome measures before data collection. Results: The mean (95% confidence intervals) disability percentage and LBP intensity score were 22.2% (19.2-25.3) and 2.14(1.84-2.47) of 10, respectively. The highest LBP intensity was among physical fitness participants and patients with spinal lesions. Weightlifting athletes and athletes with arm movement limitations had the highest disability. The mean (95% confidence intervals) neck pain intensity score was 2.16(1.80-2.54). Conclusion: A high prevalence of SP was observed among most disabilities and sports. Although its intensity is rarely severe among a population of any disability or sports, it is undeniably disabling among the vulnerable population of para-athletes.