Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2023 Feb 18;15(2):e35152.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.35152. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Isthmic Spondylolisthesis in Young Gymnasts: A Report of Two Cases

Andreia Silva  1 , Marcel Sincari  2 , Irina Peixoto  1 , Mário Vaz  1 , Eduardo Mendes  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Isthmic Spondylolisthesis in Young Gymnasts: A Report of Two Cases

Andreia Silva et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Isthmic spondylolisthesis is a condition characterized by the subluxation of one vertebral body over the adjacent inferior vertebral body, secondary to a defect in the pars interarticularis. This paper reports two cases of young acrobatic gymnasts who presented with long-term, progressive lumbosciatic pain and lower limb dysesthesia. One gymnast presented with additional neurogenic bladder dysfunction. Diagnostic testing revealed L5-S1 spondylolisthesis due to bilateral isthmic lysis in both gymnasts. Both underwent L4-S2 fixation followed by L5-S1 transdiscal arthrodesis with Rialto sacroiliac fusion system (Medtronic®, Minneapolis, MN, USA). Favorable evolution of neuromotor symptoms was observed after rehabilitation, with less residual neurological impairment in the case of higher-grade spondylolisthesis. This case series aims to emphasize the importance of recognizing this pathology in athletes as well as its correct management. Early surgical intervention can prevent the onset and progression of neurological deficits.

Keywords: neurogenic bladder; orthopedic procedures; rehabilitation; sciatica; spondylolisthesis.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Dynamic radiography with evidence of lumbar hyperlordosis and spondyloptosis in case one.
A: Hyperextension. B: Neutral position. C: Hyperflexion.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Case one. A: Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine showing grade V spondylolisthesis (circle). B: Postoperative control computed tomography with an illustration of the Rialto sacroiliac arthrodesis system (Medtronic®, Minneapolis, MN, USA).
Figure 3
Figure 3. Postoperative control lumbosacral radiographs in case one.
A: Anteroposterior view. B: Lateral view.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Dynamic radiography with accentuation of lumbar curvature and grade III spondylolisthesis in case two.
A: Hyperflexion. B: Neutral position. C: Hyperextension.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Case 2. A: Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine showing grade III spondylolisthesis (circle). B: Postoperative control computed tomography with an illustration of the Rialto sacroiliac arthrodesis system ((Medtronic®, Minneapolis, MN, USA)).
Figure 6
Figure 6. Postoperative control lumbosacral radiographs in case two.
A: Anteroposterior view. B: Lateral view.
Figure 7
Figure 7. Electroneuromyography in case one.
Figure 8
Figure 8. Urodynamic study in case two.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. High-grade lumbar spondylolisthesis. Beck AW, Simpson AK. Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2019;30:291–298. - PubMed
    1. Management of high-grade spondylolisthesis. Kasliwal MK, Smith JS, Kanter A, Chen CJ, Mummaneni PV, Hart RA, Shaffrey CI. Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2013;24:275–291. - PubMed
    1. Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in children and adolescents: I. Diagnosis, natural history, and nonsurgical management. Cavalier R, Herman MJ, Cheung EV, Pizzutillo PD. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2006;14:417–424. - PubMed
    1. Classification of spondylolisis and spondylolisthesis. Wiltse LL, Newman PH, Macnab I. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1277669/ Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1976:23–29. - PubMed
    1. Classification in brief: the Meyerding classification system of spondylolisthesis. Koslosky E, Gendelberg D. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2020;478:1125–1130. - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources