Understanding and Treating Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
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Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN VOLUME 24, NUMBER 1 200 University Ave. E. Permit No. 5388 St. Paul, MN 55101 651-291-2848 ADDRESSwww.gillettechildrens.org SERVICE REQUESTED VOLUME 24, NUMBER 1 2015 A Pediatric Perspective focuses on specialized topics in pediatrics, orthopedics, neurology, neurosurgery and rehabilitation medicine. Understanding and Treating KEY INSIGHTS To subscribe to or unsubscribe from A Pediatric Perspective, please send an email to [email protected]. Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis ■ Spondylolysis is an acquired fracture of the pars interarticularis of Editor-in-Chief – Steven Koop, M.D. By Tenner Guillaume, M.D., pediatric spine surgeon the vertebra, but the term can also be Editor – Ellen Shriner Designer – Becky Wright used to describe a stress fracture of When an athletic adolescent experiences low back pain that worsens with back the pars interarticularis. Copyright 2015. Gillette Children’s Specialty extension, consider evaluating the patient for spondylolysis. Healthcare. All rights reserved. ■ Spondylolisthesis refers to a vertebral Tenner Guillaume, M.D. slip that usually occurs between L5 Spondylolysis is an acquired and S1. fracture of the pars interarticu- Reference laris of the vertebra, but the term Pars ONLY!■ Of the four kinds of spondylolisthesis, interarticularis only two—dysplastic and isthmic— can also be used to describe Fig. 1a To make a referral, call 651-325-2200 or occur in children and adolescents. Tenner Guillaume, M.D., is a board-certified orthopedic 855-325-2200 (toll-free). a stress fracture of the pars surgeon who specializes in managing spine conditions such interarticularis. The defects can ■ Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis as pediatric congenital and idiopathic scoliosis, spondyloly- be unilateral or bilateral and are are common, acquired, secondary to sis and isthmic spondylolisthesis. He received his medical NEWS & NOTES mechanical stress, and more often commonly seen at L5. Spondylolysis Fig.1b degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. seen in athletes. He completed an internship and residency at the University Use One-Call Access for Express Access to Gillette Spondylolysis affects 6 percent ■ Usually both conditions can be of California, San Francisco Medical Center and a spine Gillette’s One-Call Access phone number makes it easy to reach Gillette for patient of people by age 181. When it resolved within 12 weeks with rest, Visit surgery fellowship through the Twin Cities Spine Center in gillettechildrens.org/care-team referrals, physician consultations and hospital admissions. is symptomatic, it is a painful physical therapy and bracing. Minneapolis. to learn more about Gillette’s specialists. condition that can sideline Physicians and other medical providers can simply call 651-325-2200 or Clinical Education Fig. 1a - Pars Interarticularis 855-325-2200 (toll-free). gymnasts, offensive linemen, He has presented research, posters and abstracts and has Visit our website to find videos Fig. 1b - Pars Interarticularis With Spondylolysis ballet dancers, divers or any professional publications. He is a member of the American and professional presentations. gillettechildrens.org With a single call, you will reach a registered nurse who can: other athletes whose sport calls for hyperextension. The incidence in athletes is Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the North • Connect you to a specific physician or on-call specialist 2,3 American Spine Society. He is a candidate for membership • Arrange for a patient admission (24-hour coverage) 11 percent compared to 3 percent among nonathletes . As many as 11 percent of 4 in the Scoliosis Research Society and the Pediatric Back Issues of • Expedite the patient intake process female gymnasts may experience spondylolysis . Orthopaedic Society of North America. A Pediatric Perspective • Coordinate patient referrals and appointments gillettechildrens.org/for-medical- • Provide detailed follow-up regarding your patient’s referral Spondylolysis can often be resolved with rest, bracing and physical therapy, but professionals/publications 43 to 74 percent of cases of bilateral spondylolysis will progress to spondylolis- A registered nurse answers calls Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. thesis5,6, a condition in which one of the vertebrae (usually L5) slips forward compared to the next vertebra (often S1). It is important to note that spondylolis- Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare Check Out These Clinical Videos is named in honor of orthopedic surgeon thesis may also develop without a previous history of spondylolysis, but because Arthur Gillette, M.D., who helped found Tenner Guillaume, M.D., covers the key steps for assessing back pain in children. they are often related, this article will examine the diagnosis and treatment of the nation’s first hospital for children who have disabilities. We are an independent, gillettechildrens.org/backpain each condition. not-for-profit children’s hospital, and our organization has no affiliation with the Gillette Company or the Gillette brand Learn more about complex movement disorders and the spectrum of treatments available. of personal care products. gillettechildrens.org/CMD gillettechildrens.org Making a Differential Diagnosis of Spondylolysis • Rest the back for four to six weeks by avoiding sports There are four types of spondylolisthesis, but only two—dysplastic Conclusion and other activities that strain it. and isthmic—occur in children and adolescents. Dysplastic Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are common, History • Wear a lumbosacral orthosis (LSO). This recommenda- spondylolisthesis happens when a congenital deficiency in the acquired, secondary to mechanical stress, and more Usually, patients report low back pain that can be acute or tion depends on acuity, radiographic findings and the L5-S1 facet joints allows a slippage to occur. A defect in the pars often seen in athletes. In almost all cases, both insidious. Because spondylolysis is acquired and secondary to patient’s age and willingness to rest. It can be interarticularis leads to isthmic spondylolisthesis, which is the conditions can be resolved within 12 weeks with rest, mechanical stress, the history should include a discussion of the provider-dependent. most common type. physical therapy and bracing. Very rarely, surgery may Hockey Player With Spondylolytic patient’s physical activities. • After four to six weeks of rest, patients should partici- be required in order to relieve persistent pain associated History Spondylolisthesis pate in physical therapy for six weeks. If prescribed, with spondylolisthesis. Physical Examination the LSO should be removed during physical therapy, As with spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis is more common among History When a thorough history has eliminated red flags such as con- which should include lumbar core strengthening people whose activities put stress on the lower back and require References This 15-year-old male hockey player was seen in clinic for intense low back pain which had started three weeks earlier. He reported frequent extensions of the lumbar spine. Asking patients about 1 stitutional symptoms or radiculopathy, the following symptoms exercises and hamstring stretching. Avoid active Beutler WJ, Frederickson BE, Murtland A, et al. The natural a history of chronic mild low back pain associated with sporting point to a high suspicion of spondylolysis: lumbar extension during therapy. their physical activities will provide valuable insight. history of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis: 45-year follow- activities. However, during recent preseason training, the pain had up evaluation. Spine (Phila PA 1976) 2003; 28: 1027-1035. • Pain worsens with lumbar extension and single leg stance • At the 12-week mark, patients may begin a jogging become increasingly severe. He said that it was worse when skat- 2 Swärd L, Hellström M, Jacobsson B, Peterson L. Spondyloly- ing backwards or upon extension of his spine. He had been sitting program for two weeks and then progress to running. Pain is the most common presenting symptom of spondylolis- extension. sis and the sacro-horizontal angle in athletes. Acta Radiol 1989; out of hockey for two weeks prior to his clinic appointment. While • Hamstrings are tight. If patients remain pain-free while running, they may thesis. It manifests as a dull, aching low-back discomfort, either 30: 359-364. he was benched, he noted that the severity of the pain was some- • Popliteal angles are high. resume participating in their sport. However, localized to the low back or with some radiation into the buttocks 3 Kono SH, Nasha-Hara G. A study on the etiology of spondy- what reduced. He did not have pain radiating down either lower gymnasts should save backward walkovers and back and posterior thighs. lolysis, with reference to athletic activities. J Jap Orthop Assoc extremity or any changes in bowel or bladder function. He did not Appropriate Imaging 1975; 49: 125-133. have any associated constitutional symptoms such as fevers, chills, handsprings until physical therapy is completed. night sweats or unintentional weight loss. Physical Examination 4 Jackson DW, Wiltse LL, Cirincoine RJ. Spondylolysis in the Request AP and lateral radiographs of the lumbar spine. If female gymnast. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1976; 117: 68-73. the patient experiences pain below the intercrestal line, also Surgical interventions are rarely needed. Check for: Physical examination 5 Beutler WJ, Frederickson