Fatigue fracture: the basic lesion is inthmic spondylolisthesis

The defect in the pars interarticularis in spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis is most often the result of repeated trauma, stress, and factors other than acute fracture. These fatigue fractures develop early in life, may have a strong hereditary basis, and most often represent incidental roentgenog...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of bone and joint surgery. American volume Vol. 57; no. 1; p. 17
Main Authors Wiltse, L L, Widell, Jr, E H, Jackson, D W
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.01.1975
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Athletic Injuries - complications
Athletic Injuries - diagnostic imaging
Casts, Surgical
Child
Female
Fractures, Bone - complications
Fractures, Bone - diagnostic imaging
Humans
Male
Pedigree
Radiography
Sex Factors
Spinal Injuries - complications
Spinal Injuries - diagnostic imaging
Spondylolisthesis - diagnostic imaging
Spondylolisthesis - etiology
Spondylolisthesis - genetics
Spondylolysis - diagnostic imaging
Spondylolysis - etiology
Spondylolysis - genetics
Wound Healing
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Summary:The defect in the pars interarticularis in spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis is most often the result of repeated trauma, stress, and factors other than acute fracture. These fatigue fractures develop early in life, may have a strong hereditary basis, and most often represent incidental roentgenographic findings. Attention should be given to the youngster or adolescent with low-back pain and paraspinal muscle spasm. If these patients are followed closely, the incidence of pars interarticularis defect is higher than appreciated. The lesion in some of these individuals may progress to significant vertebral slipping. If the developing defect is recognized early, treatment can be quite satisfactory.
ISSN:0021-9355
DOI:10.2106/00004623-197557010-00003