CONDITION: Spondylolysis

DESCRIPTION:

Many young athletes suffer from spondylolysis (spon-dee-low-lye-sis), a stress fracture in the vertebrae of the spinal column caused by an injury. The fourth or fifth lumbar vertebra in the lower back are typically affected. When a stress fracture weakens the bone, or a ligament injury or weakness affects the vertebrae to the extent that they are unable to maintain their proper position, a vertebra can eventually slip out of place. This condition, usually seen in women 40+ years old, is called spondylolisthesis (spon-dee-low-lis-thee-sis), and is most often caused by degenerative disc disease. Surgery may be required if excessive bone slippage and nerve compression is involved.

How does spondyloysis develop?
Genetics plays a large role with this condition. A very thin vertebral bone points to a precondition for the disease. Fast growth spurts, a ligament injury or ligament laxity can also result in bone slippage. Overuse is another culprit. Gymnastics, weight lifting and football, as well as other sports that put pressure on the lower back, can also be a catalyst. In addition, the constant hyperextension of the spine required of these sports can be very hard on the bones. Spondylolisthesis can also develop as a result of cerebral palsy and a process of degeneration of the vertebral joints.

What are the symptoms of spondyloysis?
It is possible for spondylolysis to have no symptoms whatsoever. When symptoms do occur, they have been compared to a muscle strain, in which the pain usually spreads across the lower back.

Conventional medical treatments may help relieve the symptoms of spondylolysis but they do not address the root of the problem. By strengthening structural weaknesses in the body, as natural medicine therapies like Prolotherapy do, spondylolysis can be healed permanently.

Discover why we believe that natural medicine treatments are the best way to treat spondylolysis.

Click here to read Prolotherapy research by Dr. Ross Hauser and his team on Prolotherapy injections for low back pain.