Summary
The lumbar spine was examined radiologically for the presence of spondylolysis and spondyloisthesis in 936 asymptomatic soldiers prior to military placement and in 662 soldiers complaining of low back pain. The overall incidence of spondylolysis was 9.7% in both groups, but bilateral spondylolysis was more prone to be associated with symptoms than a unilateral defect. In the symptomatic group the incidence of spondylolisthesis was 5.3% but only 2.2% in the asymptomatic group. The defect was seen in the oblique views only in 18.7% of the cases of spondylolysis. The precise diagnosis is important for vocational counselling and military placement.
Résumé
On a recherché par radiographie du rachis lombaire l'existence de spondylolyse et de spondylolisthésis chez 936 soldats asymptomatiques avant leur affectation militaire, et chez 662 soldats se plaignant de lombalgies. L'incidence totale était de 9,7% dans les deux groupes, mais une spondylolyse bilatérale était plus fréquente chez les sujets lombalgiques que les anomalies unilatérales. L'incidence du spondylolisthésis était de 5,3% chez les lombalgiques et seulement de 2,2% chez les patients asymptomatiques. L'anomalie n'était visible que sur les clichés de trois-quarts dans 18,7% des cas de spondylolyse. Le diagnostic précis est important aussi bien pour l'orientation professionnelle que pour l'affectation militaire.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen, M. L., Lindem, M. C.: Significant roentgen findings in routine pre-employment examinations of the lumbosacral spine. Am. J. Surg. 80, 762–766 (1950)
Bailey, W.: Observations on the etiology and frequency of spondylolisthesis and its precursors. Radiology 48, 107–112 (1947)
Baker, D. R., McHollick, W.: Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in children. J. Bone Joint Surg. [Am.] 38, 933–934 (1956)
Blackburne, J. S.: Spondylolisthesis in children and adults. Proc. Royal Soc. Med. 70, 421–422 (1977)
Borkow, S. E., Kleiger, B.: Spondylolisthesis in the newborn. A case report. Clin. Orthop. 81, 73–76 (1971)
Dively, R. L., Oglevie, R. R.: Preemployment examinations of the low back. J.A.M.A. 160, 856–858 (1956)
Epstein, B. S., Epstein, J. A., Jones, M. D.: Lumbar spondylolisthesis with isthmic defects. Radiol. Clin. North Am. 15, 261–273 (1977)
Fullenlove, T. M., Williams, A. J.: Comparative roentgen findings in symptomatic and asymptomatic backs. Radiology 68, 572–574 (1957)
Gallucio, A. C.: Spondylolisthesis. Further remarks with emphasis on radiological aspects. Radiology 46, 356–363 (1946)
King, A. B.: Experience with spondylolisthesis. Johns Hopkins Med. J. 118, 2–6 (1966)
Kono, S., Hayashi, M., Kashahara, T.: A study on the etiology of spondylolysis with reference to athletic activities (Japanese). J. Jpn. Orthop. Assoc. 49, 125–133 (1975)
Monticelli, G., Ascani, E.: Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. Acta Orthop. Scand. 46, 498–506 (1975)
Raynal, L., Collard, M., Elbanna, S.: Contribution a l'étude de la spondylolyse traumatique. Acta Orthop. Belg. 43, 653–659 (1977)
Rhea, J. T., DeLuca, S. A., Llewellyn, H. J., Boyd, R. J.: The oblique view: An unnecessary component of the initial adult lumbar spine examination. Radiology 134, 45–47 (1980)
Roberts, F. F., Kishare, P. R. S., Cunningham, M. E.: Routine oblique radiography of the pediatric lumbar spine: Is it necessary? A. J. R. 131, 297–298 (1978)
Roche, M. B., Rowe, G. G.: The incidence of separate neural arch and coincident bone variations. J. Bone Joint Surg. [Am.] 34, 491–494 (1952)
Splithoff, C. A.: Lumbosacral junction; roentgenographic comparison of patients with and without backache. J.A.M.A. 152, 1610–1613 (1953)
Stewart, T. D.: The age incidence of neural arch defects in Alaskan natives. Considered from the standpoint of etiology. J. Bone Joint Surg. [Am.] 34, 937–950 (1953)
Togerson, W. R., Dotter, W. E.: Comparative roentgenographic study of the asymptomatic and symptomatic lumbar spine. J. Bone Joint Surg. [Am.] 53, 850–853 (1976)
Troup, J. D. G.: The etiology of spondylolysis. Orthop. Clin. North Am. 8, 57–64 (1977)
Turner, R. H., Bianco, A. J.: Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in children and teenagers. J. Bone Joint Surg. [Am.] 53, 1298–1306 (1971)
Wiltse, L. L., Hutchinson, R. H.: Surgical treatment of spondylolisthesis. Clin. Orthop. 35, 116–135 (1964)
Wiltse, L. L., Widell, E. H., Jackson, D. W.: Fatigue fracture. The basic lesion in isthmic spondylolisthesis. J. Bone Joint Surg. [Am.] 57, 17–22 (1975)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Libson, E., Bloom, R.A. & Dinari, G. Symptomatic and asymptomatic spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in young adults. International Orthopaedics 6, 259–261 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00267148
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00267148