MANAGING SPONDYLOLYSIS - WHEN TO IMMOBILIZE

Though spondylolysis is a possibility when a patient presents with acu te low-back pain, the condition may not be apparent despite careful ph ysical exam and radiographic studies. In this case of a competitive 13 -year-old female athlete who had recurring lumbosacral pain, symptoms did not resolve with a trial of activity restriction and flexion exerc ises. After radiographs and a technetium bone scan detected subtle str ess fractures, better results were obtained by immobilizing the region with an orthosis. For patients whose symptoms don't resolve with immo bilization, surgery may be needed.