Spondylolysis - Introduction
Spondylolysis is a cause of back pain in young people. It is known as a ‘stress’ fracture, and like many sports stress fractures it usually heals to become symptom free.
Who gets it?
The diagnosis of a spondylolysis should be thought about in back pain that occurs after strenuous sports on a consistent basis. Young gymnasts and young athletes involved in ‘throwing’ sports are most commonly affected. On the positive side it seems more common in elite athletes.What causes it?
It is a stress fracture that occurs at the ‘pars inter-articularis’ which is a part of the back of the spinal bone, or the neural arch. It is not a serious structural fracture and so normal activities can continue.
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