Spondylolysis in children

If your child experiences pain that travels down one or both legs, they might have spondylolysis. Other symptoms include weakness in legs, numbness in the feet, and even trouble controlling their bladder and bowel movements.

Spondylolysis, a stress fracture that occurs in the lower back, is common in teens who play sports that involve repetitive extension of the spine. Around 4.4% of children have spondylolysis by the age of 6, and by adulthood 6% have chronic back pain.

We’re here to help you and your child navigate diagnosis and treatment of spondylolysis.

Testing and diagnosis of spondylolysis

Your child’s doctor will conduct a thorough family and medical history followed by a complete and accurate diagnosis. Stress fractures can’t be seen on X-rays so they may use the following kinds of testing.

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): This can assess the spinal cord with detail along with producing images of the organs and structures throughout the body.
• CT scan (computed tomography): A CT scan provides more detailed images that show the bones, fat, organs and muscles.
• Bone scan: A bone scan involves nuclear imaging that will evaluate arthritic changes in the joints and detect bone diseases and tumors.

At Advocate Children’s Hospital, our doctors have access to specialists of all kinds. We have the resources to give your child an accurate diagnosis and recommend an individualized treatment plan keeping their needs in mind.

Spondylolysis treatments

Initially we may recommend a back brace for your child to take the pressure off their lower back and provide pain relief. As their symptoms improve, your child can wear the brace less and less. Surgery to install metal plates, screws or rods can help your child with slipping of the discs in the back. We will explain everything to you and your child so you can understand what your child is going through.