Long-Term Functional and Anatomical Follow-up of Early Detected Spondylolysis in Young Athletes

BackgroundSpondylolysis defects detected by nuclear scintigraphy but not by plain radiographs represent early lesions. Functional outcome and eventual bony union of these defects are unknown.HypothesisDefects with greater degree of healing shortly after treatment will proceed to full bony union and better long-term functional outcome.Study DesignLongitudinal cohort study.MethodsForty young athletes with early detected spondylolysis (radiograph negative, nuclear scintigraphy positive) were divided into 3 stages of healing by computed tomography scan. Functional outcome was assessed 7 to 11 years later using the low back outcome score and other factors. Degree of bony healing was assessed in volunteers.ResultsThirty-two of 40 subjects (80%) completed the survey. Twenty-nine of 32 (91%) had good or excellent low back outcome scores. None required spinal fusion, but 1 required partial diskectomy. Functional outcome did not differ based on initial computed tomography results. Radiographic follow-up was obtaine...