720-777-0123
-
Conditions & Advice
Parenting Tips and Advice
From bringing home a new baby to building trust with your teen, our pediatric experts share guidance to help you navigate the ups and downs of parenthood.
-
Your Visit
Click to find the locations nearest you
Find locations by region
See all locations -
Research & Innovation
It starts with a Q:
For the latest cutting-edge research, innovative collaborations and remarkable discoveries in child health, read stories from across all our areas of study in Q: Advances and Answers in Pediatric Health.
Spine Program
Spondylolysis
Kids aren’t just mini adults. In fact, they’re incredibly different. That’s why they need incredibly different care.
What is spondylolysis?
Spondylolysis is a fracture (break) in one of the vertebrae (small bones) of the spine. It usually happens at the fourth or fifth lumbar vertebrae in the low back.
What causes pediatric spondylolysis?
Spondylolysis can be caused by both hereditary factors and physical activity. A child who is born with thin vertebral bones may be at higher risk for developing spondylolysis. In addition, a child who is active in sports such as diving, gymnastics, football or any sport that puts stress on the lower back may develop spondylolysis over time.
If spondylolysis is not diagnosed and treated early, it may develop into a condition known as spondylolisthesis.
What are spondylolysis symptoms?
Many kids with spondylolysis have no pain or other symptoms. If symptoms are present, they usually include leg and/or back pain that gets worse with physical activity. Pain usually spreads across the lower back and may feel like a strained muscle.
What tests are used to diagnose spondylolysis?
If your child is referred to a doctor at our Spine Program for this condition or low back pain, we will order an X-ray of the lower back.
If your child has spondylolysis, the X-ray can show the stress fracture in the vertebrae. In some cases, your provider may consider ordering additional imaging such as a CT scan or MRI.
How is spondylolysis treated?
Treatment for spondylolysis at our Spine Program is almost always conservative. Your child will need to limit activities that cause pain. Also, our spine experts usually recommend anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy.
Research shows that the sooner a child is diagnosed and modifies their activities, the better chance there is for their pain to resolve completely. Ignoring or “playing through” the pain can worsen the fracture and cause long-term symptoms.
Why choose us for the treatment of spondylolysis?
The Spine Program at Children’s Colorado treats infants, children, adolescents and young adults. We diagnose and care for all types of spinal conditions and injuries, ranging from spondylolysis to complex neuromuscular disease and trauma.
Our spine team is among the most knowledgeable pediatric spine care teams in the country, with the goal to always provide the safest, most effective treatments.
Helpful resources
The Scoliosis Research Society is an international society that is committed to research and education in the field of spinal deformities. Their mission is to foster the optimal care of all patients with spinal deformities.
Next steps
-
Would you like to learn more about us?
Learn more about the Spine Program -
Do you need an appointment or have a question?
720-777-6600 -
Are you ready to schedule an appointment?
Schedule an appointment
Get to know our pediatric experts.
Rachael Mahan, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Stephanie Puma, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Shelley Brandstetter, CPNP-PC
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Patient ratings and reviews are not available Why?
Compassionate care, wherever you are
We’re here when you need us. Telehealth appointments are available across every specialty, so you can get the high-quality care we’ve always offered from the comfort, privacy and convenience of home.
See if telehealth is right for you