Spondylolysis

Physicians and surgeons at NYU Langone’s Spine Center provide specialized care for people with spondylolysis, a stress fracture or break in one of the bones that comprise the spine. For some people, the condition does not cause any symptoms; in others, it results in chronic low back pain. In some people with spondylolysis, the stress fracture causes a weakened vertebra to slip out of place, a condition called spondylolisthesis.

Spondylolysis is most common in children and teens who participate in athletic activities that require a lot of backward bending, such as gymnastics or pole vaulting. In adults, the condition may show symptoms with the development of back pain, leg pain, or both.

Our pediatric and adult specialists in orthopedics, neurology, and neurosurgery use advanced diagnostic tests to identify the location and severity of a fracture and offer comprehensive care to relieve pain and help you remain active.