Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeons treating Hunter Syndrome

PARS DEFECT

A Pars Defect or spondylolysis is a stress fracture of the bones of the lower spine. These fractures typically occur due to overuse. They can be on one or both sides of the vertebrae. It is a common cause of low back pain in children and adolescents.

If your child needs surgery or casting, our Fracture Care Clinic opens every day and you do not need an appointment. Surgery rooms get scheduled every morning, so your child receives the care and attention they need right away.

Pars Defect

Pars DefectPars defect, also known as Spondylolysis, affects a tiny spinal bone, namely pars interarticularis, found in children. It happens from a small problem in the spine, like a small fracture or crack between two vertebrae (spine bones). This spine condition causes back pain that can be painful enough. However, Pars defect is treatable without any surgery in most cases! So, consult your doctor for treatments whenever you see your kids with back pain.

Generally, Pars defect or Spondylolysis is a spine condition where the problem lies between the connection of vertebrae to what the spine is made of. Ignoring this condition in your children may cause small cracks and spine fractures, especially after repeated injuries while attending any sports. However, research shows that treatments are successful if you see your child to a doctor and begin the therapies and medication early.

How Common Is Pars Defect?

Medical research reveals that almost 3% to 7% of Americans, especially children and teens who attend sports, like football and gymnastics, get affected with Pars defect. As mentioned earlier, Spondylolysis happens due to small fractures or cracks in the spine bones, such as between two vertebrae. For example, children overextend or overstretch their spines when they participate in such games but do not bend inward. It causes slight cracks in the vertebrae!

Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis

These terms may sound similar and even relate to each other, but not the same. Spondylolisthesis occurs when one spine bone or vertebra slips out of its place over another below. Moreover, it results in Spondylolysis (Pars defect) because the small cracks or fractures between the connection of two vertebrae can make the bone slip.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What is a Pars defect, and what caused it in my child?

A Pars defect is a condition characterized by a stress fracture or defect in a specific part of the vertebra known as the pars interarticularis. This condition is commonly seen in the lower spine, typically in the lumbar region. Pars defects can result from overuse, repetitive stress on the spine, or may have a genetic component. The doctor will explain the condition and its potential causes, taking into account the specific case of your child.

What are the treatment options for my child's Pars defect?

The treatment for a Pars defect can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the child’s symptoms. Treatment options may include rest, physical therapy, bracing, or in some cases, surgical intervention. Recovery time can also vary but may take several weeks to months, with the potential for full recovery. The doctor will discuss the specific treatment plan and provide an estimated timeline for healing.

Will my child fully recover, and can they return to physical activities?

Many children with Pars defects can return to sports and physical activities after appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. However, precautions may be necessary to reduce the risk of future injuries. The doctor can provide guidance on a safe return to sports, recommend injury prevention strategies, and discuss any necessary precautions, such as proper warm-up techniques, activity modification, and exercises to strengthen the supporting muscles of the spine.

For the very best spine doctors, Schedule an Appointment for your child to be seen by one of the doctors or surgeons at the Medical City Children’s Orthopedic and Spine Specialists

Pars Defect Causes

When your child has Spondylolysis, a specific section in the vertebra in the spine, known as the pars interarticularis, may be weak. It is a thin piece of spinal bone that connects the vertebrae below and above to create a properly working spine while ensuring its movement. And when it cracks, it is called a pars defect. However, there is no certain reason behind it. It may be that your child is born with thin vertebrae, which increases the risks of Spondylolysis. Also, Pars defect may be a problem in your gene that plays a great role in this case.

In addition, repetitive injuries to the lower back of your children when they participate in sports or any other intense activities can weaken that tiny bone, pars interarticularis. Gradually, a Pars defect can occur.

Pars Defect Symptoms

Sometimes, your child may not feel any symptoms, like back pain, even while having it. Lower back pain is the most common and prime symptom of Pars defect. However, the pain may feel different than usual, which you should ask your kids to notice. Such as

  • Feeling like muscle strains
  • It gets worse as the lower back pain extends
  • Spreading across the lower back

Furthermore, the pars defect symptoms can arise even after teen growth, although the cracks in childhood. That’s why the typical age of diagnosis for Spondylolysis is at the age of fifteen or sixteen, but younger in girls.

Pars Defect Complications

If you overlook Spondylolysis and delay in treatment, the condition worsens and leads to Spondylolisthesis. Moreover, your children can experience severe pain when the vertebra presses on the nerve around it. Therefore, you may need to take your kids for surgery to relieve these symptoms and return to a normal life. In addition, your child may find it difficult to move and lose muscle flexibility. So, getting the treatments may help them get over it.

Diagnosis

To diagnose the condition of Pars defect in your children, your doctors may ask about the symptoms they feel and their medical history. Also, you can expect your healthcare provider to give a few imaging tests to your kids, like:

  • CT or MRI scans to identify the small cracks or fractures and figure out their spine conditions, like a pinched nerve or herniated disc, to ensure whether it can lead to back pain in the future.
  • X-ray of your child’s lower back to see whether there are any cracked vertebrae

Pars Defect Treatments

Most healthcare providers suggest nonsurgical options to treat Spondylolysis. Pars defect treatments generally include physical therapy and medications. Early treatment reduces pain and allows the cracks to heal while ensuring your kids can return to regular activities quickly. But for complete relief, make sure your children follow the regimen recommended by doctors. The timeline can be for a few weeks or a few months, depending on the severity of the condition.

However, here are some nonsurgical treatments available for Pars defects:

Medications:

Doctors often recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation and low back pain. If required, the health care provider can suggest even stronger medication based on the condition of pars interarticularis.

Physical therapy:

If you begin physical therapy for your children early, Spondylolysis may be treated. A physical therapist can recommend exercises to improve spine flexibility and strengthen the muscles around it. Therefore, your kids can feel easy movement without pain.

Bracing:

Doctors suggest many children wear a back brace to reduce the pain and heal the fracture while stabilizing their spine. Moreover, they advise kids to take a break from intense physical activities, especially sports!

Steroid injections:

This one is another alternative to relieve pain. Injecting steroids in the affected area of the lower back can give quick pain relief. But since they are children, it is better to avoid steroid medication!

Surgery for Pars Defect

Surgery is an alternative to treat Pars defect conditions required in the rarest cases. In most cases, you may see successful results from the nonsurgical treatments mentioned above if your child begins them early. But sometimes, healthcare providers can suggest a pars repair surgery to stabilize the spine and manage the fracture. But there is no need for a spinal fusion to connect two vertebrae to create one bone.

In this process, the surgeons remove the damaged tissues and stabilize the fractured area using a small piece of bone from any other body part. Hence, your child can return to full form and perform daily activities.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent Pars defect. Yes, you can reduce the risks of fracturing bones. For example, while seeing your children with low back pain and interfering with their daily activities, consult a doctor first to start the treatments and medications as early as possible. It will give your kids a better outcome and lessen the need for surgery in the future.

Also, physical therapy will strengthen the back and abdominal muscles, which enhances lower back support. Moreover, allow your children’s activities, like swimming, to lower the risks of cracks when they have Spondylolysis because it will be gentle on your back.

Timeline for Recovery from Pars Defect

The sooner your kids start treating their Pars defect condition, the faster they will return to regular activities. But it can take a few weeks or even a few months to get back your spine flexibility and mobility. The recovery time varies for every individual based on the condition.

When You Should See Your Child to a Healthcare Provider

The nonsurgical treatments for Spondylolysis affect more when one starts it at an earlier stage. Therefore, you should see your children a doctor ASAP whenever you see them experiencing low back pain and its interference with common activities in life.

Final Thoughts

Pars defect can cause severe lower back pain to your child if you leave it untreated. Additionally, it can disrupt their daily activities. While treating early with physical therapy and medications, your kids can get relief from pain without surgery. Moreover, you can encourage your children to undertake strengthening workouts to ensure strong stomach and back muscles to reduce the chances of back injuries and prevent Spondylolysis from coming back. Also, consult with doctors to learn about different activities to reduce Spondylolysis complications.

Finally, it is important to note that this document serves as an informational guide and should not replace professional medical advice. If you suspect that a child may have a Pars Defect or any other medical condition, it is recommended that you give us a call and schedule an appointment at one of our three offices –  Arlington, Dallas, Flower Mound, Frisco, and McKinney, TX.  At the Medical City Children’s and Spine Specialists Medical Practice, our doctors specialize in kids and treat those with spine conditions that cause pain.

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Footnote:

National Library of Medicine: Pars Defect

 

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