Spondylolysis

Definition
Spondylosis is a defect in the pars
interarticularis

Etiology
fatigue fracture from repetitive
hyperextension stresses

Diagnose
Anamnesis : repetitive hyperextension stress
usually in children and adolescents
gymnasts
diving,
wrestling,
weight lifting, and
football linemen

Physical : low back pain and pain with

extension of the lumbar spine
Additional examination

Additional examination
Plain x-ray
lateral
oblique : scotty dog

CT-scan
Bone scan
single-photon emission computed
tomography (SPECT)

Plain X-ray
Lateral

 Oblique

CT scan

MRI
T2weighted

T1weighted

SPECT

Sagital

Coronal

axial

Treatment
Non Operative
Bracing
Activity restriction,
Flexion exercises

Operative

Boston Overlap LSO brace

(anti-lordotic brace)

Direct repair of L5
spondylolysis

Complication
Spondylolisthesis : forward
slippage of one vertebra on
another
Spondylolytic
Spondylolisthesis. Lateral view
of the lumbar spine demonstrates
a bilateral break in the pars
interarticularis
orspondylolysis(lucency shown
by black arrow)
that allows the L5 vertebral body
(red arrow) to slip forward on the
S1 vertebral body (blue arrow).
The forward slippage is
calledspondylolisthesis. The
normal pars interarticularis is
shown by the white arrow.

Reference
Lauerman, William C., Bradley P. Graw. Thoracic/Lumbar spine. Spine.
Miller Orthopaedic Review. 5th Edition. Elsevier.
Spondylolysis Imaging.
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/395916.html
Weinberg ,Eric P. Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis. Available at
http://www.orthoseek.com/articles/spondyl.html
Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine. Available at
http://www.massgeneral.org/ortho/services/pediatrics/spondylolysis.a
spx
Osteoarthritis: Lumbar Spine, Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis.
Available at
http://images.rheumatology.org/viewphoto.php?imageId=2862332
Spondylolisthesis. Available at
http://www.learningradiology.com/archives06/COW%20204-Spondolyti
c%20Spondylolisthesis/spondylocorrect.htm

Thank you