Korean J Pain.  2005 Dec;18(2):251-254. 10.3344/kjp.2005.18.2.251.

Pars Interarticularis Injections in a Patient with Spondylolysis: A case report

• Park SC
• Park JB
• Kwon YE
• Lee JH

• KMID: 2278001
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2005.18.2.251

Abstract

Spondylolysis, also known as stress injury of pars interarticularis, is a common cause of back pain in athletes, particularly children and young adults. Repeated minor traumas during flexion and extension of the spine are thought to result in bony failure due to excessive bone resorption. These lesions are common in the low back, with the majority found at the L5 vertebra. In the majority of cases of spondylolysis, non-operative treatments are recommended, such as NSAIDs, physiotherapy and bracing. Only if symptoms do not respond to conservative treatments should surgical intervention be considered. Recently, pars interarticularis injections for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes have been found to allow significant pain relief from spondylolysis for long periods. Here, the case of a 57-year-old man with spondylolysis, who suffered from back pain, which was not relieved by an epidural steroid injection, but in whom pars interarticularis injections of local anesthetic and steroid induced complete transient pain relief, following by moderate long-term relief, is presented.

Keyword

pars interarticularis injection; spondylolysis

MeSH Terms

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
Athletes
Back Pain
Bone Resorption
Braces
Child
Humans
Middle Aged
Spine
Spondylolysis*
Young Adult
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal