Spondylolysis
Original Editors
Lead Editors - Andrea Nees - Elien Vanderlinden - Heleen Van Cleynenbreugel - Els Van haver
Search Strategy[edit | edit source]
Search engines PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Pedro
Keywords Spondylolysis + Physiotherapy / Physical Therapy / Anatomy / Medical management / Diagnosis
Searches have been performed between 28/03/2012 and 20/05/2012
Definition/Description[edit | edit source]
Spondylolysis is a unilateral or bilateral bony defect in the pars interarticularis of the vertebra. The term derives from the Greek words spondylos (vertebra) and lysis (defect). [1][2]
Clinically Relevant Anatomy[edit | edit source]
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Epidemiology /Etiology[edit | edit source]
Spondylolysis affects 3-6% of the population.[1][2][3] This condition appears in the first or second decades of life, the frequency of spondylolysis increases with age until 20 years. There is no change in prevalence with increasing age from 20 to 80 years old. Men are affected two times more as women.
Spondylolysis occurs mostly at L5 (80-95%). There is increased prevalence in specific ethnic, sports and family groups. The young athletic population has a spondylolysis more frequently. There is an increased risk in gymnasts, football players, cricketers, swimmers, divers, weight lifters and wrestlers.
Spondylolysis is considered to be a stress fracture that results from mechanical stress at the pars interarticularis. These stress fractures occur due to repetitive load and stress, rather than being caused by a single traumatic event. The stress distributions at the pars interarticularis are the highest in extension and rotation movements. There is a possible genetic tendency for people with lower cortical bone density at the pars interarticularis.
Characteristics/Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]
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Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
- Disc Injuries: Disc Herniation
- Lumbosacral Discogenic Pain Syndrome
- Facet Joint Syndrome
- Acute Bony Injuries
- Sprain/Strain Injuries
- Spondylolisthesis
- Myofascial Pain in Athletes
- Sacroiliac Joint Injury
- Lumbar radiculopathy
- Osteoid osteoma
- Osteomyelitis
- Spinal stenosis
- Stress fracture
Diagnostic Procedures[edit | edit source]
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Outcome Measures[edit | edit source]
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Examination[edit | edit source]
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Medical Management
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Physical Therapy Management
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Key Research[edit | edit source]
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Resources
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Clinical Bottom Line[edit | edit source]
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Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gunzburg R., Szpalski M., Spondylolysis, Spondylolisthesis and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2006, p. 21. (Level of evidence: D)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 MacAuley D., Best T., Evidence-based Sports Medicine, Blackwell Publishing, 2007, p. 282. (Level of evidence: D)
- ↑ Haun D.W., Kettner N.W., Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis: a narrative review of etiology, diagnosis, and conservative management, J Chiropr Med 2005;4:206–217 (Level of evidence: A1)