Facet Joint Orientation Plays Role in Spondylolysis

Spondylolysis is a spinal condition that involves a fracture or defect of the posterior portion of the vertebra that can lead it to slip forward, causing pain. Advanced imaging of 68 junior athletes with back pain revealed that abnormal coronal (side to side) orientation of the facet joints at the L4-5 level increased loading on the L5 pars interarticularis when bending backward and rotating, increasing the risk for spondylolysis. Doctors of chiropractic are skilled at detecting and treating spondylolysis with conservative care and sometimes co-managing cases with specialists. Journal of Physical Therapy and Science, December 2020