title: SPONDYLOLYSIS AND SPONDYLOLISTHESIS IN YOUNG GYMNASTS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the incidence of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis among female gymnasts, and to correlate these with lumbar pain, history of trauma and training load.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen competitive-level Olympic-style gymnasts aged 8-17 years, with an average age of 11.3 years, were evaluated on a voluntary basis. The gymnasts answered a questionnaire about their sports activities and underwent a clinical examination and lumbar spine radiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The radiographs were analyzed by orthopedists specializing in surgery of the vertebral column. The prevalence of spondylolysis was 5.56%, while no cases of spondylolisthesis were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of the radiographic abnormalities identified was similar to what has been reported in the literature for non-athletic individuals, and the lumbalgia reported by these athletes did not show any direct relationship with spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis.
authors.affiliation: Resident Physician in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Unifesp, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mohriak
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician in the Spine Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Unifesp, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro Debieux
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Vargas Silva
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician in the Spine Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Unifesp, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trandafilov
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician in the Spine Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Unifesp, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Délio Eulálio
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician in the Spine Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Unifesp, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wajchenberg
authors.affiliation: Full Adjunct Professor and Head of the Sports Traumatology Center, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Unifesp, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Moisés
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Full Adjunct Professor and Head of the Spine Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Unifesp, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo Barros
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Puertas
keywords: Gymnastics; Lumbalgia; Spine; Spondylolisthesis; Spondylolysis