What is Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis?

Also known as: Vertebral stress fracture or crack, vertebral shift or slip

When a teen athlete has lower back pain, the most common causes are spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis.

• Spondylolysis - This condition involves a stress fracture in a vertebra in the lower spine.
• Spondylolisthesis - This condition is the progression of spondylolitis. The small fracture weakens the bone, causing the vertebra to shift out of place.

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Reviewed by: Stephen Graham George Jr., MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM