Treatment of Symptomatic Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis with the Modified Boston Brace

Nonoperative treatment of active spondylolysis in elite athletes with normal X-ray findings: literature review and results of conservative treatment

“…When patients were last clinically reviewed, they were asked to rate the outcome as either "excellent", "good", "fair", or "poor" in relation to their sports activities at that time and according to criteria described by Steiner and Micheli [46] (Table 2). A routine orthopedic examination was done, and a CT scan was performed in order to evaluate osseous healing of the fracture at the pars interarticularis.…”

“…2. The longer the symptoms are present before treatment, the less likely it is that they will respond to nonoperative treatment [4,5,16,38,46]. 3.…”

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis: a narrative review of etiology, diagnosis, and conservative management

“…Braces that maintain lordosis as well as those that are antilordotic have both been used with good results. 56,57 The goal of bracing is to prevent motion at the stress fracture and allow for osseous healing at the defect. Healing occurs in some, but not all cases.…”

“…Some clinicians have restricted their patient's activity while braced, 57 while others have allowed full athletic participation while the brace is in posi- tion. 56 In addition to bracing, stretching and strengthening exercises are advised. 56,57 The last group to consider is the adult spondylolytic with low back pain.…”

“…56 In addition to bracing, stretching and strengthening exercises are advised. 56,57 The last group to consider is the adult spondylolytic with low back pain. As previously discussed, acute onset of pars fractures in adults is extremely rare.…”