He thought he saw the Scottie dog collar on the L-5 that is the hallmark of spondylolysis. The orthopedist compared her recent x-ray to one taken when she was 2 years old and decided that her L-5 looked different in the recent x-ray. He still did not see a fracture but referred us to a sports medicine specialist who in turn referred us to a pediatric orthopedist. When she did not improve in two weeks, she went back to the pediatrician. Her pediatrician thought it might be spondylolysis and sent her for an x-ray. About a year ago, my then 7 year old daughter experienced quite a bit of pain in her lower back after a class that involved many bridges, bridge walks, bridge kick overs and what you call it when a gymnast bends back into a bridge from a standing position and then stands back up. If you can get treatment early on, you can reduce your risk of a more serious injury.I just want to concur that a second opinion is probably a very good idea. If you suspect that you may have a stress fracture, seek the advice of a medical professional. Rods and screws may be used to hold the vertebrae together as they heal. If the fractured vertebra continues to slip out of place after nonsurgical treatment, a spinal fusion procedure may be recommended. Periodic X-rays may be ordered to monitor the fractured vertebra and make sure it isn’t shifting out of place. Physical therapy may also be recommended to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles. In some cases, a back brace may be recommended to keep the back in proper positioning while it heals. In the meantime, patients can take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen to help with pain. In most cases, symptoms will go away after a period of rest. Patients will need to take a break from the activity that caused the stress fracture, as well as any other activities that put stress on the lower back. Initially, a spinal stress fracture is treated using conservative, nonsurgical methods. ![]() Conditions like osteoporosis can also weaken the bones, increasing the likelihood of a stress fracture. Some people may be born with thinner vertebral bones, making them more susceptible to stress fractures. There may also be a genetic component to stress fractures. That additional shock is transferred onto the vertebrae, and can eventually cause the tiny cracks we know as stress fractures. When an athlete performs the same motions repetitively, the muscles in the back can become fatigued, and can no longer absorb shock effectively. Stress fractures in the spine are often the result of overuse. These types of activities also require the athlete to hyperextend or overstretch the lower back, adding to the stress. Activities like gymnastics, weight lifting, and football put a significant amount of stress on the lower back. Stress fractures are most common among athletes. The spinal nerves may also be compressed, which may result in sciatica. If the fractured vertebra shifts out of place, patients may experience muscle spasms that tighten the lower back and hamstring muscles. An X-ray can confirm the diagnosis of a stress fracture. This pain is sometimes mistaken for a muscle strain. Others will have pain that spreads across the lower back. Some people with spinal stress fractures will not have any symptoms at all. In more severe cases, surgery may be needed to correct this problem. The bones may press on the nerves, resulting in pain, tingling, and numbness. This condition is known as spondylolisthesis. ![]() Sometimes, stress fractures can weaken the vertebra so much that it shifts out of its proper position. Stress fractures can also occur in the fourth lumbar vertebra, but this is much less common. Spinal stress fractures, also called spondylolysis, most commonly occur in the lower back, especially in the fifth lumbar vertebra. A stress fracture occurs when the vertebrae take on too much stress, and tiny cracks form in the bone.
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