Lumbar Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis

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Kilian, Robert, and Lambl first described spondylolysis accompanied by spondylolisthesis in the literature in the mid 1800s. The number of different spinal abnormalities contributing to development of spondylolisthesis was appreciated only after Naugebauer’s anatomic studies in the late 1800s. ^[1] See the image below.

Spondylolysis is a defect in the pars interarticularis that may or may not be accompanied by forward translation of one vertebra relative to another (spondylolisthesis). See the image below.

Wiltse, Macnab, and Newman developed a classification to help outline causes of vertebral translation in an anterior direction. ^{[2, 3]} Their categories include the following:

Type I: Congenital spondylolisthesis

Type II: Isthmic spondylolisthesis

Type III: Degenerative spondylolisthesis

Type IV: Traumatic spondylolisthesis

Type V: Pathologic spondylolisthesis

Type I: Congenital spondylolisthesis is characterized by presence of dysplastic sacral facet joints allowing forward translation of one vertebra relative to another. Orientation of facets in an axial or sagittal plane may allow for forward translation, producing undue stress on the pars, resulting in a fracture.

Type II: Isthmic spondylolisthesis is caused by the development of a stress fracture of the pars interarticularis.

Type III: Degenerative spondylolisthesis is commonly caused by intersegmental instability produced by facet arthropathy. This variation usually occurs in the adult population and, in most cases, does not progress beyond a grade I spondylolisthesis (see grading system below). ^[4]

Type IV: Traumatic spondylolisthesis can, in rare instances, result from acute stresses (trauma) to the facet or pars.

Type V: Any bone disorder may destabilize the facet mechanism producing pathologic spondylolisthesis. Iatrogenic spondylolisthesis, lastly, may occur if an overzealous surgeon performs too great of a facetectomy.

The most commonly used grading system for spondylolisthesis is the one proposed by Meyerding in 1947. The degree of slippage is measured as the percentage of distance the anteriorly translated vertebral body has moved forward relative to the superior end plate of the vertebra below. Classifications use the following grading system:

Grade 1: 1- 25% slippage

Grade 2: 26-50% slippage

Grade 3: 51-75% slippage

Grade 4: 76-100% slippage (see the image below)

Grade 5: Greater than 100% slippage

United States

Wiltse and Beutler each reported an incidence of 6-7% for isthmic spondylolysis. ^{[2, 5]} Up to 5% of children aged 5-7 years have been found to have spondylolysis, many of whom are asymptomatic. The incidence increases up to the 7% by age 18. Athletic activities requiring repetitive hyperextension and rotation or repetitive combined flexion-extension predispose some athletes to developing pars defects. ^{[6, 7, 8, 9]} Gymnasts, linemen in college football, weight lifters, javelin throwers, pole-vaulters, and judoists are most commonly affected. ^{[10, 11]} Approximately 82% of cases of isthmic spondylolisthesis occur at L5-S1. ^[12] Another 11.3% occur at L4-L5. Congenital defects, including spina bifida occulta, have been linked to occurrence of isthmic spondylolisthesis. Scoliosis has been found to occur along with spondylolysis as well. ^[13] Roughly 50% of all cases of spondylolysis are not associated with spondylolisthesis.

Degenerative spondylolisthesis occurs more frequently with increasing age. The L4-L5 interspace is affected 6-10 more times than any other level. Sacralization of L5 is frequently seen with L4-5 degenerative spondylolisthesis.

See the list below:

Increased mortality is not associated with spondylolisthesis. While some patients may have persistent low back pain, significant disability is rare unless the patient has severe neurologic compromise that has not been addressed.

The most common morbidity is persistent low back pain or nerve impingement. Because disk degeneration is accelerated at the sight of level of the spondylolysis, diskogenic pain may occur. Degenerative spondylolisthesis produces characteristic arthritic symptoms that may worsen with age.

See the list below:

Isthmic spondylolytic defects affect roughly 1.1% of black females. The most commonly affected group is the white male with an incidence of 6.4%. Arkara Plains Indians and Aleut people groups have a very high incidence of spondylolytic defects, due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Degenerative spondylolisthesis affects black females more commonly than white females (and females are more commonly affected than men).

Beutler et al noted a 2:1 male-to-female ratio of occurrence in asymptomatic patients with spondylolysis. ^[5]

Females with isthmic spondylolytic lesions appear to be more prone to progressive displacement and may need surgical intervention more often than males.

Congenital spondylolisthesis (dysplastic type) occurs with a 2:1 female-to-male ratio with symptoms beginning around the adolescent growth spurt. These comprise about 14-21% of all cases of spondylolisthesis.

Degenerative spondylolisthesis occurs more commonly in females with a 5:1 female-to-male ratio. The incidence increases after age 40 years.

See the list below:

Acute isthmic spondylolysis often occurs during the first and second decades of life. Most cases occur before the patient reaches age 15 years. In rare cases, acute spondylolysis may be seen in early adulthood. Younger patients are at higher risk than older patients for developing progressive spondylolisthesis. The risk for progression in adults is rare when the lesion is at L5. In contrast, lesions at L4-5 may progress into adulthood because of increased sagittal rotation, shear translation, and axial rotation at this segment.

Congenital/dysplastic spondylolisthesis has been documented in children as young as 3.5 months. More commonly, congenital spondylolistheses go undiagnosed until later in life after an individual has been ambulating for quite some time.

Degenerative spondylolisthesis occurs most commonly after age 40 years.

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Beth B Froese, MD Consulting Staff, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Orthopaedic Associates of DuPage, Ltd

Beth B Froese, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Medical Association, Illinois State Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Patrick M Foye, MD Director of Coccyx Pain Center, Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School; Co-Director of Musculoskeletal Fellowship, Co-Director of Back Pain Clinic, University Hospital

Patrick M Foye, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Stephen Kishner, MD, MHA Professor of Clinical Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program Director, Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans

Stephen Kishner, MD, MHA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Curtis W Slipman, MD Director, University of Pennsylvania Spine Center; Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center

Curtis W Slipman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Association of Academic Physiatrists, International Association for the Study of Pain, North American Spine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lumbar Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis

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