Spondylolysis

What are spondylolysis symptoms?

Many kids with spondylolysis have no pain or other symptoms. If symptoms are present, they usually include leg and/or back pain that gets worse with physical activity. Pain usually spreads across the lower back and may feel like a strained muscle.

What tests are used to diagnose spondylolysis?

If your child is referred to a doctor at our Spine Program for this condition or low back pain, we will order an X-ray of the lower back.

If your child has spondylolysis, the X-ray can show the stress fracture in the vertebrae. In some cases, your provider may consider ordering additional imaging such as a CT scan or MRI.

How is spondylolysis treated?

Treatment for spondylolysis at our Spine Program is almost always conservative. Your child will need to limit activities that cause pain. Also, our spine experts usually recommend anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy.

Research shows that the sooner a child is diagnosed and modifies their activities, the better chance there is for their pain to resolve completely. Ignoring or “playing through” the pain can worsen the fracture and cause long-term symptoms.

Why choose us for the treatment of spondylolysis?

The Spine Program at Children’s Colorado treats infants, children, adolescents and young adults. We diagnose and care for all types of spinal conditions and injuries, ranging from spondylolysis to complex neuromuscular disease and trauma.

Our spine team is among the most knowledgeable pediatric spine care teams in the country, with the goal to always provide the safest, most effective treatments.

Helpful resources

The Scoliosis Research Society is an international society that is committed to research and education in the field of spinal deformities. Their mission is to foster the optimal care of all patients with spinal deformities.