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© 2012-2024 Isokinetic Medical Group Srl
P.Iva 03740671205 – Cap. Soc. Int. Vers. Euro 10.400 – Reg. Imp. n.03696800378 – R.E.A. n.309376
The vertebral column, also known as the spine, is a complex structure of our body which is part of the axial skeleton, constituting the central part of our body. The spine is composed of 33 smaller units called vertebrae, 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 4 coccygeal. The vertebrae present a canal in their posterior part in which the neural system passes through and innervates different structures to allow sensation and movements. Spondylolysis is a unilateral or bilateral bony defect of a specific structure located in the posterior aspect of the vertebra (named pars interarticularis), often considered to be a stress fracture. Due to the damage reported to that structure, the vertebra can slip forward, in that case, the medical term is spondylolisthesis. As for the other stress fractures, these injuries are typically due to progressive and repetitive stress applied to the body, with an increased risk in active populations that practice high-impact sports (e.g.: gymnasts, weightlifters, soccer, etc.). These types of injuries are most common in the lumbar area (low back area), however, they can be reported in other spinal segments too. Depending on the specifics of the injury and the vertebral displacement, significantly different symptoms can be reported by patients affected by this condition from being completely asymptomatic to severe back pain and neural symptoms (e.g.: tingling, burning, weakness, etc.). Aside from collecting data from the injury mechanisms and performing a physical assessment of the patient, an imaging examination (e.g.: x-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, etc.) is required to optimally visualise the specifics of the injury. It is important to underline that the presence of anatomical abnormalities of the spine detected through imaging are not necessarily related to the symptoms experienced by the patient, and that false positives are common. For this reason, a holistic approach is paramount in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with back conditions.
© 2012-2024 Isokinetic Medical Group Srl
P.Iva 03740671205 – Cap. Soc. Int. Vers. Euro 10.400 – Reg. Imp. n.03696800378 – R.E.A. n.309376