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.
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Dr. Christopher Rolf Johnson at Colorado Spine Partners in Denver is referred back pain and neck pain patients; herniated disc patients; and scoliosis patients from across 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. Chris Johnson can provide a second opinion for back surgery; neck surgery; treatment for a herniated disc in the low back or neck; scoliosis surgery; and treatment options for flatback syndrome.
Dr. Johnson 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. Johnson can provide a second opinion for neck surgery that provides this advanced artificial disc replacement option for motion preservation. Visit CentersforArtificialDisc.com for more detailed information on artificial disc replacement surgery. Dr. Johnson 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 spine surgery patients to go home the same day for a quick recovery.
