From Setback to Comeback: A Framework for Senior Athletes Returning to High Impact Activities with Degenerative Low Back Pain 1176

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Location: ROOM: Private Dining Room #1 >>> DIRECTIONS: Third Floor >>> From the Main Elevator Bank, proceed left past Williford and Astoria. PDR #1 is located to the left in the small corridor.

Corresponding Presenter(s)

Ashleigh C. McAdam, PT, DPT, OCS, GCS (she/her/hers)

Physical Therapist
Hospital for Special Surgery
Secaucus, NJ, United States

Presenter(s)

Naimish Baxi, MD

Physiatrist
Hospital for Special Surgery
Paramus, New Jersey, United States
Curtis Wu, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CSCS

Physical Therapist
Hospital for Special Surgery
River Edge, NJ, United States

As more athletes continue high-impact actvities well into their senior years, the prevalence of degernative low back pain presents unique challenges in both diagnosis and management. This session will explore a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to care, combining the expertise of physiatry and physical therapy. Attendees will gain an understanding of the latest evidence on degenerative lumbar conditions in aging athletes, with an emphasis on non-surgical physiatric management strategies and rehabilitation interventions tailored to this population. A detailed physical therapy case presentation will hilight clinical decision-making, functional progression, and outcome measures relevant to senior athletes pursuing high-impact sports.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participant will be able to review the current evidence on degenerative low back pain in the older adult and it's impact on high impact activity participation.
Upon completion, participant will be able to describe the inter-disciplinary approach to evaluating and managing low back pain in senior athletes, including diagnostic strategies and non-operative treatment options
Upon completion, participant will be able to demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration through a physical therapy case study focused on return to high impact activity
Upon completion, participant will be able to identify practical strategies to support safe, functional return to high-impact activities
Upon completion, participant will be able to conduct a rehabilitation framework to facilitate return to high impact activities by identifying impairments, functional limitations, and select interventions to address these deficits.