Spondylolysis relates to instability of specific bones in the low back. It a very common cause of back pain, particularly in adolescents. Gymnasts who perform routines that bend and arch the back are often victims of spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis.
Causes
Spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis are caused by joint instability in the low back. The rear part of spinal vertebrae has facet joints that act as hinges, allowing our spines to twist and bend. Sometimes, however, the posterior element can crack. Either from heredity or wear and tear, part of the posterior element called the pars interarticularis can crack, causing the vertebrae slip forward out of its correct position. Spondylolysis occurs when the PARS hinge is cracked, but the vertebrae is still in its correct position. Spondylolisthesis occurs when the cracked PARS has allowed the vertebrae to slide forward out of its correct position. If left untreated, spondylolysis can lead to spondylolisthesis.
Symptoms
Interestingly, in many cases, spondylolisthesis may have no symptoms, so most people may not know they have it. Back pain is the most common symptom, particularly in the lower back. This back pain may be mistaken for a muscle strain. Muscle spasms that occur as a result of spondylolysis may cause an overall feeling of stiffness in the back and may effect posture.
Treatment
Conservative treatments should always be considered first when treating spondylolysis. Nonsurgical treatment methods include resting and refraining from usual activities, taking anti-inflammatory medication, and incorporating a stretching and strengthening program. While ligaments and muscles can help hold the vertebrae in place, over time, surgery may be necessary to install surgical instrumentation or bone grafts that lock the vertebra in place so that it does not slide out of position and damage the spinal nerves. Surgery may involve a fusion and/or screws and rods.
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Fellowship-trained Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Related Spine Conditions
Understanding back pain and what causes it Back strain is a fairly broad category called “soft tissue injury,” which covers muscles, tendons and [Read more...]
Like back strain, neck strain is an irritation to tendons, muscles and ligaments in the upper back and neck area. Whiplash is characterized [Read more...]
The spine is composed of many vertebrae stacked on top of each other. Between these bones are discs, which act as shock absorbers. [Read more...]
What causes NUMBNESS or WEAKNESS in a foot or hand and why pain is a bad emergency signal When a disc herniates, the disc [Read more...]
What is kyphosis and what symptoms are caused by it? Kyphosis and lordosis are types of spinal deformities. While slight curvature of the spine [Read more...]
Stenosis is a condition that can develop as a person ages, particularly in those over 50. It is characterized by a narrowing of [Read more...]
What is Flatback Syndrome and how are Harrington Rods involved? When the proper curves in the spine that support an economical stance requiring [Read more...]
While pain is a good indicator of an emergency for many health related problems, pain is NOT a good indicator of an emergency [Read more...]
Myelopathy is the result of a condition that compresses the spinal cord and affects nerve functions. Myelopathy disrupts the transmission of nerve [Read more...]
Need an Appointment or Second Opinion?
Dr. Gary Ghiselli at Colorado Spine Partners in Denver is referred back pain and neck pain patients; herniated disc patients; and artificial disc replacement patients from across Denver, Colorado and the nearby states of Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska and New Mexico. As a regional spine center of excellence, Colorado Spine Partners is the only spine center in Colorado listed on SpineCenterNetwork.com and CentersforArtificialDisc.com. As a fellowship-trained spine surgeon, Dr. Gary Ghiselli can provide a second opinion for back surgery; second opinion for neck surgery; artificial disc surgery; stenosis surgery; and treatment for a herniated disc in the low back or neck.
Dr. Ghiselli is proficient in the use of several FDA-approved artificial discs in the neck. If you’ve been told you need a spinal fusion or an ACDF surgery (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion), Dr. Ghiselli can provide a second opinion for neck surgery that provides an artificial disc option to preserve the natural motion in the neck. Visit CentersforArtificialDisc.com for more detailed information on artificial disc replacement surgery. Dr. Ghiselli is also trained in minimally invasive spine surgery where he uses tubular retractors through a small one-inch incision which lessons disruption to muscles and ligaments, eliminates the need for outside blood, and enables most of his spine surgery patients to go home the same day for a quick recovery.
