Introduction to Spondylolisthesis

Risk Factors for Spondylolisthesis

• Age - progression is highly likely during adolescent growth spurts. The younger the age at onset of a vertebral lesion, the higher the probability of slip progression
• Gender - females are four times more likely to develop spondylolisthesis than males.
• Pregnancy may be a risk factor
• Osteoarthritis in older people can lead to degenerative spondylolisthesis
• Diabetics appear to be more prone to degenerative spondylolisthesis
• Traumatic injury - if an injury which causes spondylolysis does not heal properly in an adolescent, it can progress to spondylolisthesis

• Activity in sports - certain types of sports appear to put some children and adolescents in a high-risk category for spondylolysis due to continued hyperextension of the lumbar spine. Damage to the pars is noted in 25-40% of sports-related lower back pain. High risk sports include:

  • gymnastics
  • diving
  • football
  • pole-vaulting
  • weight-lifting
  • wrestling
  • dancing
  • high-jumping

• Back pain - investigation into generalized back pain may uncover existent but possibly asymptomatic spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis