Adult isthmic spondylolisthesis
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
1-1-2009
Journal
Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Volume
17
Issue
10
DOI
10.5435/00124635-200910000-00003
Abstract
Isthmic spondylolisthesis is present in a small subset of the adult population. Although the incidence of low back pain in these persons is similar to that of the general population, both pars interarticularis defect and forward slip can serve as unique pain generators. Neurologic symptoms may result from nerve root impingement related to the pars defect or degenerative changes associated with the deformity. Most symptomatic cases are successfully managed nonsurgically, but patients with intractable pain or neurologic symptoms may benefit from surgical decompression and stabilization. Surgical intervention has shown >80% success in appropriately selected patients, with a low incidence of complications. Surgical techniques include decompression, posterolateral fusion, anterior lumbosacral interbody fusion, and circumferential fusion methods. Circumferential fusion results in improved fusion rates and, in some studies, superior clinical outcomes. The choice of procedure is generally guided by the patient's radiographic and clinical findings as well as risk-benefit considerations. Copyright 2009 by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
APA Citation
Jones, T., & Rao, R. (2009). Adult isthmic spondylolisthesis. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 17 (10). http://dx.doi.org/10.5435/00124635-200910000-00003