title: Current concepts in the diagnosis and treatment of spondylolysis in young athletes.
abstract: Spondylolysis is common among young athletes and should be suspected in any young athlete presenting with low back pain that persists for more than a few weeks. Diagnostic evaluation typically includes plain radiographs followed by more sensitive modalities, including single-photon emission CT, CT, or MRI. There is no consensus on the most appropriate protocol for diagnostic evaluation. Treatment usually consists of rest and/or bracing to allow healing to occur, followed by rehabilitation that includes core strengthening. More large-scale controlled studies need to be done in order to clarify the most effective diagnostic and therapeutic protocols.
authors.affiliation: Akron Children's Hospital Sports Medicine Center, 388 S. Main Street, Suite 207, Akron, OH 44311, USA. jcongeni@chmca.org
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: McCleary
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Congeni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013169:Spondylolysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000639:trends*