Spondylolysis in Adolescent Athletes: A Descriptive Study of 533 Patients.

Objective: The objective of this descriptive study was to evaluate spondylolysis in adolescent athletes, including age at time of injury, sport associated with injury, examination findings, site of injury, studies used for diagnosis, treatments, duration of treatment, and outcomes.

Design: This was a retrospective chart review of patients who presented with a diagnosis of spondylolysis over a 17-year period.

Setting: Community primary care sports medicine practice.

Patients: All patients between 10 and 20 years of age diagnosed with spondylolysis.

Interventions: There was no set intervention protocol. A variety of interventions and combination of interventions were used and determined by the treating physician on a case-by-case basis.

Main outcome measures: Clearance for return to sport activity.

Results: Males comprised 317 of the 533 patients. Soccer, gymnastics/cheer, football, and basketball were the most common sports associated with spondylolysis. Bilateral injuries were most common. L5 was the most common level for injury. Bracing and formal physical therapy as treatments were associated with longer duration of care. Most patients were treated successfully with nonoperative treatment. Recurrence of injury was rare.

Conclusions: Spondylolysis is a common cause of back pain in adolescent athletes. Males are more likely to experience these injuries and are older at presentation compared than females. Spondylosis may be encountered in many sports. Nonoperative treatment leads to successful outcomes in most patients.