What is Spondylolysis?

A stress fracture of the lower back is termed as Spondylolysis. It is common in children and adolescents who engage in activities that require repetitive straining of the lower back, such as gymnasts, skiers, and weight lifters. There is also a genetic predisposition for children, even those who are non-athletes, to develop the condition from birth.

What are the symptoms of Spondylolysis?

Common signs and symptoms of spondylosis include lower back pain. Usually, the pain is:

Back pain that radiates into your buttocks or down the muscles of your thighs.
Similar to a muscle pull or strain in your lower back.
Pain worsens with activity and improves at rest or during reduced activity.

Some patients with Spondylolysis never experience symptoms. Such patients may stay utterly unaware of their condition until after they undergo imaging tests for some other purpose.

What causes Spondylolysis?

Spondylolysis is caused by pars interarticularis damage.

The pars interarticularis are small bones that connect your vertebrae above and below to form a functioning unit. These linkages allow spine flexion. Damage to your pars interarticularis may crack them. Doctors term these fissures as pars fractures.

Most pars fractures are caused by:

Overuse: Overuse is the most common cause of pars fractures. This occurs because repetitive motions cause tension to your lower back. In time, this causes damage to your vertebrae, and the cumulative effect can cause a pars fracture. Even doing physical work for your job, playing contact sports, and repeatedly injuring your lower back can all contribute to causing damage to your vertebrae.
Growth spurts: Some kids and teenagers have developed Spondylolysis during the growth spurt phase of their lives, that is, when their bodies are growing rapidly, physically and otherwise.
Genetics: Some people are born with thinner vertebrae. This puts them more at risk of having a pars fracture.

What are the risk factors?

The most basic risk factor for Spondylolysis is being human and walking upright. The natural inward curvature of the lower back stresses the pars interarticularis. Certain sports that involve heavy or repeated bending backwards, such as gymnastics, football, and soccer, can increase the risk of developing Spondylolysis. Young athletes may sometimes develop Spondylolysis as a result of overuse and hyperextension of the lower back. Genetics could be some people's risk factor.

What are the complications of Spondylolysis?

There is also the possible limitation of mobility associated with back pain due to Spondylolysis.

Without treatment, progression of spondylolisthesis begins with the breaking or weakening of your vertebrae due to Spondylolysis. They can slip out of position. A vertebra slipping out of its position might cause sciatica or leg pain. Surgery is sometimes required for patients who have this condition to lead normal life again.

How do healthcare providers diagnose Spondylolysis?

Spondylolysis can be diagnosed by a doctor through imaging tests and physical examination. Your history of illness and your symptoms will be questioned. Let your doctor know what you were doing just before you felt you had back pain, as well as when you first had it.

What tests are done to diagnose Spondylolysis?

Your doctor will use imaging tests to photograph your vertebrae and the tissue around them, including:

X-rays
Magnetic resonance imaging
CT scans

What are Spondylolysis treatments?

The aim of treatment of Spondylolysis is to get you back to your daily activities and reduce your pain. You should not expect injury to the spinal cord or nerves if you have this condition.

Treatment is dependent upon the severity of pain and can be any of the following:

Rest in bed or off the competition fields
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Physiotherapy for general conditioning and muscle strengthening
A thoracolumbosacral orthosis

Because the pain tends to subside spontaneously most of the time, surgical repair of the fracture is very rarely required.

When do you need surgery for Spondylolysis?

Surgery is rarely required for Spondylolysis. In the majority of cases, quality of life is regained through nonsurgical treatments.

For other patients, stabilization of the spine with surgery is necessary. In most cases, your surgeon can treat a pars fracture as an isolated procedure and avoid the more significant surgical fusion, where two adjacent vertebrae are fused together as one. Your surgeon will explain what to anticipate and how long you will have to recover if surgery is necessary.

How long does it take for Spondylolysis to heal?

Pars fractures may take six months or even more to recover. Spondylolysis patients report an improvement in the symptoms within days or weeks of taking therapy. You should still continue to do the course of treatment your doctor or physical therapist recommends for as long as they recommend it, even if your symptoms are improving faster than you expected. Your spine needs time to be healed completely.

Get to know when you can resume sports or strenuous exercise from your physician.

Can I prevent Spondylolysis?

Spondylolysis isn't preventable. General safety precautions that may help reduce the risk of a pars fracture include the following:

Always wear your seat belt, including the shoulder harness, around the top half of the body. Wear the proper protective gear for all activities and sports. Keep your home and workspace clear of clutter that could cause tripping or other accidents.
Always use the appropriate tools or equipment to reach things around the house. Never stand on chairs, tables, or countertops.
Follow a diet and exercise plan that will help you to maintain good bone health.
Discuss with your physician about a bone density test if you are over 50 or if you have a family history of osteoporosis.
You can use a cane or walker if you have difficulty walking or are at increased risk for falling.

What can I expect if I have Spondylolysis?

Patients with Spondylolysis are likely to improve their symptoms after nonsurgical treatment with rest, medication, and physical therapy. Although all of the above treatment alone cannot heal the fracture, it can return the patient to his normal life routine as soon as possible without any symptoms.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

The sooner you are evaluated by your healthcare provider, the sooner they can diagnose and treat Spondylolysis. If you have low back pain that lasts longer than a few days or is severe enough that it makes it hard or impossible for you to carry out your routine, see your health care provider.

Why Tender Palm Super Speciality Hospital for Spondylolysis Treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Hospital has a highly experienced team of spine surgeons and diagnosticians who implement the latest international standard infection control measures. The spine surgery team has decades of experience in treating Spondylolysis in Lucknow, India.