Spondylolysis

Spondylolysis (‘spondyl’ = spinal + ‘olysis’ = with a hole or crack) is the deficient development or degeneration in a specific part of the spine’s facet joint, called the pars interarticularis, and could involve one side or both sides …

Spondylolysis (‘spondyl’ = spinal + ‘olysis’ = with a hole or crack) is the deficient development or degeneration in a specific part of the spine’s facet joint, called the pars interarticularis, and could involve one side or both sides. The condition is sometimes referred to as a stress fracture. Although the defect can be found at any level, the most common vertebra involved is the 5th lumbar vertebra.

Its cause is unclear, but three theories are:

• It’s a congenital (born with it) defect,
  • A direct result of trauma, or
  • Direct result of overuse, or indirect trauma.

Studies have shown that Spondylolysis is more common in people who participate in sports such as diving, weight lifting, football, rowing, tennis, cricket, wrestling and gymnastics; activities that require repetitive hyperextension.

Just because you may have this condition, does not mean that you will necessarily ever have problems with your back, but you are at a higher risk of developing chronic low back pain than the normal population.

Many young people may have no symptoms and require no treatment for the condition. For those with symptoms, back pain is probably the most common, and appears during the adolescent growth spurt.