Has anyone had spinal surgery for pars defect with spondy?

[Avonia]

Hi all,
I'm 34 and was diagnosed with pars defect with fracture and spondy, in 2003. I was very fit at the time and was offered surgery at the time which i dismissed. Now my condition has worsened and I am now a grade 3-4 and surgery seems my only option. Has anyone had this surgery and if so, would you recommend it? I have also put on a lot o weight and must loose it before the operation, any tips that don't involve exercise?

[Mischap123]

This is a very difficult situation where the spondy has slipped a long way. It is highly likely to be unstable which can cause all sorts of problems. You haven't mentioned any symptoms. Do you get any as some ppl have very little - even with grade 3's. If the vertebra is unstable (checked via flexion and extension x-rays of the lumbar spine) and symptoms are severe neurological ones, then go the surgery without doubt. However, if stable somehow or symptoms are managable, then manage it.
Re weight loss maybe you could try walking in water. Yes, I know it is exercise but the only other option is eat less. Let us know how you go

[vijairanawat]

we have operated on over 14 professional fast bowlers with this condition over the paast 15 years; we have written up this case series and i can send you the paper if you want

[ajburke]

I am interested in any info regarding surgery for pars defect at L5 /S1, I have been living with pain for 18 mnths after injuring my back at work in Jan 07. Scans revealed stress fracture ( pars defect) at L5/S1 - I've been down the conservative treatment road since Feb '07 & still have pain. I've heard that cricketers ( fast bowlers) suffer from this injury - undergo surgery - and return to cricket. I'd like any info on who performs the surgery on the top cricketers. My treating specialist says he is reluctant to perform surgery (fusion) due to disc degeneration above L5, however, I'm getting desperate and can't see any light at the end of the conservative treatment tunnel. What surgical options are there for this type of condition ?

[dede23]

Get into to see a gd neurosurgeon. Its the best option and i think they wld be the best ones to help u here. My mum in law had spinal surgery due to work injury but i think it was a leaking disc content onto spinal cord and stuff. Even though diff, had gr8 results. She saw Prof Brophy in Adelaide. He is the best that i have worked with im a nurse, and seen results first hand but.... u need to see these ppl for urself. Its frustrating i know- im going through same thing but with knee- no one wanted to help and it was too complex (big probs) and i eventually went interstate and found a surgeon willing to help me and so far despite only having part one of surgery so far, im impressed and ready for the next part!! Find a surgeon u are pleased with and can relate too. Make sure they have the experience. It makes so much difference!! Gd luck and hope sm1 can help u.

[mikeproc]

Hi there,
I was diagnosed with Pars Defect in 1998 at age 44. At the time the pain down my left leg was severe to the point I could hardly walk. I went through several options, Chiropractor and Physio Therapists. Neither of which was successful. The radiographer told me that there was not much that could be done and I would pretty much have to live with it. Not great.
My management consisted of sitting every now and then to relieve the pain. I found squatting on a low chair relieved the pain immediately. I was at my daughters 15th birthday party and a the parent of one my daughters friends who was an anaesthetist and also married to an Orthopaedic surgeon told me to work hard on my stomach muscles. Also to lose some weight. I went to town on the stomach doing crunches and worked hard on my core area. Cant see any way around not exercising. I also lost 15 kilos and 15 cms from my waist using the Herbalife products.
It has improved out of sight. I live in Adelaide and walk up Mt Lofty several times a week which is where people go to train for the Kakoda trail walks etc. There is only one activity that causes stress to my pars afterwards and that is, lets say not done walking. Have to say it is a bit of a pain in the back. But it subsides.
So if you want to ask further questions about my exercise routine/weight loss, please email me. proctor.mike52@gmail.com Good luck.

[ppnwkrr]

we have operated on over 14 professional fast bowlers with this condition over the paast 15 years; we have written up this case series and i can send you the paper if you want

What type of surgury was done? fusion with rods and bone graft or disc replacement?
How long is the typical recovery? I've any where form 3 months to a year. thanks

[ysabelmilby]

Why not undergo a spinal surgery? I mean, you cannot find any option but to proceed with the surgery or else you might end up regretting the time you wasted because of your doubts. Don't give yourself too much headache and don't handle the pain you might be experiencing because it will be very hard to bear when the time comes that you cannot do anything about it. Trust your Doctor/s they will take good care of you for sure.



_________________________
Physiotherapy Adelaide

[cheriem3]

Hi
Can anyone recommend a surgeon in Perth? My daughter has a bilateral L5 pars interarticularis defect which has been a recurring source of pain for a year or two, hasn't responded to a 6 week rest over the summer and she is now in the middle of a 4 week rest with regular physio due to a very bad flare up - she is unable to walk without spasming and can't sit down for very long. She is at a specialist dance school doing year 11 and will be auditioning for WAAPA later this year, and again next year if she is not successful the first time.
If we can't get on top of this issue her dream of dancing as a career is virtually over. I have heard there is a minimally invasive procedure they can do by inserting Becks screws into the defect, where there is no cutting of any muscles and no restriction of movement as with a fusion, with a quick recovery and only 1-2 days in hospital. Hopefully physio will be enough, but we need to plan in case it is not. Ideally I'd like to see someone who is a specialist in this technique, I'm thinking of someone involved with the AFL or cricketers maybe. From the reports I have been able to read most people are able to resume their sporting activities with no further problems after this procedure. I'd love to hear from anyone who has had this procedure, in particular how their range of motion has been post op.