Spondylolysis

[lilmonkeymom]

My daughter has just been diagnosed with this. The only time she has any pain is when she is tumbling and running. She has been out of the gym for the past 3 weeks and is going crazy without doing gymnastics. Have any of you ever had experience with this? How long does is usually take to heal? We don't get to see Ortho until the end of the week....

 

[Blazing15]

Wow sorry to hear that. I haven't ever heard of it so I looked it up online. For anyone not know what it is here it is. Hope your daughter heals fast and doesn't have to be in anymore pain.

Spondylolysis is a defect of a vertebra. The great majority of cases occur in the lowest of the lumbar vertebrae (L5), but spondylolysis may also occur in the other lumbar vertebrae, as well as in the thoracic vertebrae.
Spondylolysis occurs in three to six percent of the population.[1][2]

It is typically caused by stress fracture of the bone, and is especially common in adolescents who overtrain in activities such as tennis, diving, martial arts and gymnastics.

How is spondylolysis treated?

Initial treatment for spondylolysis is always conservative, and is aimed at reducing pain, permitting the fracture to heal, and returning the person to normal function. The affected person should take a break from sports and other activities until the pain subsides. An over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Motrin®), may be recommended to help reduce pain and inflammation (irritation and swelling). Stronger medications may be prescribed if the NSAIDs do not provide relief. A program of exercise and/or physical therapy will help increase pain-free movement, and improve flexibility and muscle strength.
In more severe cases of spondylolysis, a brace or back support might be used to help stabilize the lower back as the fracture heals. Epidural steroid injections, in which medication is placed directly in the space surrounding the spine, may also help reduce inflammation and ease pain.

 

[elleheartsbars]

i had this...i had i stress fracture on my L5 vertebrae, but my dad and brother had it too. My doctor was a sports therapy person and he said it was a combination of overuse and it runs in the family. I fractured it summer going into level 5 and i was able to compete that year i had to do physical therapy 4 times a week though. That is what kept me busy when i was totally out of the gym.

 

[gymcoach34]

Just wondering who diagnosed this since she hasnt seen the ortho?

 

[Deleted member D3987]

probably in the pediatricians office with script to get xray. xray comes back to pediatrician and they tell her the radiologists report and send her on to the the ortho specialist.

hey, get back to us after you've seen the ortho.

 

[stargazer]

I know this is an old thread, but thought I'd get my two cents out there. I was diagnosed with spondylosis thesis (sp?) when I was 13 and had only been in rec gym for a year. The lower part of my back curves inward too much, but it wasn't causing me much pain. The doctor said they would monitor the degree of curvature, and if it got worse I would have to take a break/quit. I was heartbroken hearing that I might have to quit, but luckily it hasn't gotten any worse! Almost 6 years later I'm now training 8 hours a week, and no more problems! I hope everything works out for your daughter

 

[Deleted member D3987]

glad to hear that! but to clarify, "losis" and "thesis" are not the same thing. losis is common and thesis is usually career ending in sports like football, gymnastics and swimming/diving.

 

[bribri514]

glad to hear that! but to clarify, "losis" and "thesis" are not the same thing. losis is common and thesis is usually career ending in sports like football, gymnastics and swimming/diving.

I was going to say this, thanks dunno. It's unfortunately what happened to me when I got to college and was training. I was diagnosed with grade 2 slippage and while I don't need surgery or anything (right now) there's no way I was allowed to return to training/competing at the level of gymnastics I once was :-(