What is spondylolysis?
Spondylolysis is a degenerative condition of the spine affecting the facet joints, the joints that link the vertebrae and are responsible for spinal movement. This disorder causes the facet joints to break or loosen, causing stress fractures to the weakened bone. Unfortunately, this results in vertebra shifting out of place, which is referred to as spondylolisthesis.
Spondylolysis is known to be a source of lower back pain in younger individuals that engage in athletic activities that over stress or stretch the spine, like gymnastics, weightlifting, or football. This spinal condition is most often diagnosed in males more than females and may be found in individuals who have no prior injuries or in non-athletic individuals.
Some ideologies believe that spondylolysis can be hereditary and that individuals with weaker bones are more susceptible to this disease. However, lumbar disc degeneration or narrowing of the spinal disc space in the spinal column could be to blame for spondylolysis, although the exact cause of the disease is unknown.
Symptoms of Spondylolysis
In some cases, spondylolysis may be asymptomatic, meaning no apparent pain or discomfort.
However, the most commonly reported symptoms of spondylolysis include:
- Tight hamstring muscles
- Burning or shooting pain down one leg or the other
- Hyperlordosis, which is when the lumbar spine has an inward curve
- Pain across the lumbar spine area that feels like a strained muscle
- Pain that worsens with an increase of activity, especially after you’ve overdone it
How is spondylolysis diagnosed?
To determine if you have spondylolysis, your pain management specialist near Jackson, MS, may order imaging such as x-rays, a CT (computed tomography) scan or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) along with a thorough physical exam. If your symptoms match those of spondylolysis, and your imaging reflects par defects (fractures in the pars interarticularis), then you may have spondylolysis.
How is spondylolysis treated?
At Midsouth Spine & Pain Associates (MSSP) we offer minimally invasive pain-relieving treatments for spondylolysis. Each case of spondylolysis is treated according to the severity of the condition, as well as the pain level and the patient’s overall health. MSSP offers epidural steroid injections to relieve chronic back pain associated with spondylolysis. Often, injection therapy is not the only treatment modality for someone that suffers from spondylolysis or another condition that causes chronic back pain. In some cases, physical therapy can help patients regain mobility and strength to support the spine and relieve pain from damaged vertebrae. Many individuals that suffer from spondylolysis experience a significant improvement in their pain following an epidural steroid injection. Plus, the injection results in minimal downtime and best of all, is an outpatient procedure so you can return home shortly after your injection. However, if you do not experience pain relief following your injection, our Corinth pain specialists may explore other minimally invasive treatment options for chronic back pain.
Treating Spondylolysis in Southwest Tennessee and North Mississippi, including Tupelo, MS and Jackson, TN
Spondylolysis can cause chronic back pain that keeps you from enjoying life and performing your usual daily activities. If this sounds familiar and you’d like to explore treatment options for spondylolysis that does not involve surgery, contact Midsouth Spine & Pain Associates to learn about our less invasive methods of pain management. To learn more or schedule a consultation, please call (662) 284-8565.