Lateral oblique radiographs are considered important for the identification of spondylolytic lesions, but these projections will give a clear view only when the radiological beam is in the plane of the defect. We studied the variation in orientation of spondylolytic lesions on CT scans of 34 patients with 69 defects. There was a wide variation of angle: only 32% of defects were orientated withi...

Spondylolisthesis consists of the slippage of a vertebra in relation to the one beneath. It is caused by separation of the neural arch from the vertebral body (spondylolysis), and predominantly occurs at the isthmus (pars interarticularis). Originally thought to be a congenital anomaly, its strict correlation with certain activities that seem to exert stress on lower spine was later demonstrate...

Injury in gymnastics is not an uncommon occurrence, and an injury of the spine frequently is a source of pain in a gymnast. Because of the unique demands of this sport, which repetitively place significant forces across the spine, it becomes clear why the spine commonly is injured. Potential causes of back pain in a gymnast include spondylolysis, Scheuermann's disease, intervertebral disc patho...

Background and Aim: Chronic back pain is one of the most important reasons of individuals’ referring to clinic, so that no determined  recognition is posed in considerable number of such individuals. Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are two important pathologies that people might be afflicted with for years but they might be unaware of it. Therefore, such diseases may account for ...

Low back pain is a common cause of lost playing time in young athletes, and spondylolysis is its most common identifiable cause. Despite technological advances in radiology, which can lead to an early diagnosis with better prognosis, progression to spondylolisthesis is sometimes asymptomatic and may not be detected until late stages. There are wide variations, suggesting lack of consensus as re...

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are common diagnoses made in the athlete suffering from persistent back pain. Although the etiology of this continuum of conditions is uncertain, genetic predisposition and repetitive trauma have been strongly implicated. Sports in which participants are subjected to repetitive hyperextension across the lumbar spine pose a risk for such injuries. Football lin...

A 45-year-old man presented to our clinic requesting evaluation for surgical treatment of chronic low back pain of more than 20 years duration. He was diagnosed with 3-level lumbar spondylolysis at L3-5. Direct repair using the pedicle screw and hook-rod system was conducted for all three levels. After the surgery, his low back pain completely disappeared. Six months later, he felt discomfort a...