Pars Fracture Surgery

Pars fracture surgery is a treatment that may be recommended when conservative, noninvasive treatments fail to provide the pain relief the patient requires. A pars fracture typically develops in the lumbar spine in the lower back and is typically caused by repetitive movements and overexertion. This condition is especially common in young athletes and is normally treated with pain medication, rest, stretching, and physical therapy. The goal of pars fracture surgery is to stabilize the spine and prevent the misalignment of the vertebrae (spondylolisthesis).

Vertebral Fracture

A pars fracture, or the fracture of the pars interarticularis, is a type of stress fracture that can cause significant chronic pain. Repetitive activities, such as throwing, rotating around the spine, bending, or lifting can put significant strain on the vertebrae and cause a fracture to develop. One interesting aspect of a pars fracture is that it develops on the opposite side of the spine as the aggravating activity. This means if the individual bowls with their right hand, the fracture would develop on the left side of the spinal column.

Treatments

The good news about a pars fracture is that it is a relatively common condition and if it is caught early, noninvasive treatment is usually successful for ensuring the bone heals properly. However, if the spine is at risk for spondylolisthesis, or the patient is experiencing significant pain that does not respond to conservative treatment, one of two types of pars fracture surgery may be recommended:

• Spinal fusion – the intervertebral disc is removed and the adjacent vertebrae are fused together with a bone graft or synthetic bone substitute and surgical hardware. This surgery permanently stabilizes the spinal column but also results in a permanent loss of flexibility.
• Laminectomy – the lamina, which is a portion of the vertebra including the pars interarticularis, is surgical removed to alleviate painful nerve compression in the spinal canal.

In order to determine whether pars fracture surgery is right for your condition and to learn more about the many noninvasive treatments available, visit your doctor for a physical examination and diagnostics.