The lumbar spine in the aging athlete.

The relative importance of an elderly individual's chosen athletic endeavor should not be underestimated. These athletes have high expectations of their physical abilities. A lumbar spine syndrome can be a severe physical and psychologic setback. The ideal goal in the treatment of this population is to make an accurate diagnosis and provide expeditious treatment that allows the athlete to return to a satisfactory level of competition. The described algorithm is useful in attaining this goal. In addition, patient education is particularly important in preventing reinjury.