Spondylolysis: returning the athlete to sports participation with brace treatment

Orthopedics. 2002 Jun;25(6):653-7. doi: 10.3928/0147-7447-20020601-15.

Abstract

Between 1988 and 1995, 73 adolescent athletes treated with the Boston Overlap Brace for spondylolysis were reviewed to evaluate improvement in pain score and activity level. A favorable clinical outcome was achieved in 80%. Girls and boys who participated in high-risk sports were five times more likely to have an unfavorable clinical outcome than those who participated in low-risk sports (odds ratio = 5, 95% confidence interval = 2.4-7.5, P = .003). In addition, acute onset of pain and hamstring tightness were associated with a worse outcome. Athletes with symptomatic spondylolysis treated with an antilordotic brace can expect improvement in their clinical course and return to sports participation in 4-6 weeks.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Athletic Injuries / complications*
  • Athletic Injuries / physiopathology
  • Athletic Injuries / therapy*
  • Braces*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain / etiology*
  • Low Back Pain / physiopathology
  • Low Back Pain / therapy*
  • Lumbosacral Region / injuries*
  • Lumbosacral Region / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Pain Measurement
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Recovery of Function / physiology*
  • Spondylolisthesis / etiology*
  • Spondylolisthesis / physiopathology
  • Spondylolisthesis / therapy*
  • Spondylolysis / etiology*
  • Spondylolysis / physiopathology
  • Spondylolysis / therapy*
  • Time Factors
  • Trauma Severity Indices