Spondylolysis/Spondylolisthesis

BY: EMMA LAVELLE

AT200
INJURY PRESENTATION
Spondylolysis/Spondylolisthesis

• Spondylolysis- the degeneration of the vertebrae and most commonly

a defect in the pars interarticularis.
• Spondylolisthesis- a complication of spondylolysis.
• Spondylolysis begins unilaterally, but if it extends bilaterally, it may cause
slipping of one vertebra on the one below it.
Spondylolysis/Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolysis/Spondylolisthesis
Who's mostly affected

• More common among boys.

• Chance of vertebra slipping is higher in girls.
Causes

• Can often be attributed to congenital weakness, and the defect occurs

as a stress fracture.
• Movements that hyperextend the spine:
• Back arch in gymnastics
• Lifting weights
• Football block
• Tennis serve
• Volleyball spike
• Butterfly stroke in swimming
Signs and symptoms

• Both can be asymptomatic.

• Persistent mild to moderate aching pain or stiffness across the lower
back.
• Feels fatigued.
• Hard to be comfortable, feel need to change positions frequently or
self-manipulate the low back to reduce pain.
• Movements of bottom of spine are full range and painless.
• Hesitation in bending forward.
Signs and symptoms

• At extreme ranges held for 30 seconds or longer an aching pain

develops.
• Feels weak when straightening forward from bending.
• May be tenderness localized to one segment.
• During palpitation, the athletic trainer may note some segment
hypermobility.
• If displacement is big enough, there may be some neurological signs.
Management

• Bracing.
• When pain gets so severe bed rest for 1 to 3 days to reduce pain.
• Progressive trunk strengthening, and dynamic core stabilization
exercises should be incorporated.
• Never will be fully healed.
Return to play

• When hyperextension occurs, it is best to rest to let pain subside.

• Athletes when returning to play may still experience pain with brace
on.
• This makes it very difficult for the athlete to return to full power and the injury
often gets worse the more and more you extend your back, so returning ever
fully after is very difficult.
Refrences

Jinkins, J. R., Matthes, J. C., Sener, R. N., Venkatappan, S., & Rauch, R. (1992). Spondylolysis,
spondylolisthesis, and associated nerve root entrapment in the lumbosacral spine: MR evaluation. AJR.
American Journal of Roentgenology, 159(4), 799–803. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.159.4.1529846
Prentice, W. E. (2014). Principles of Athletic Training: A Competency-Based Approach. In Principles of Athletic
Training: A Competency-Based Approach (15th ed., pp. 790-791). New York, New York: McGraw-Hill.