SPONDYLOLYSIS AND SPONDYLOLISTHESIS IN YOUNG GYMNASTS.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis among female gymnasts, and to correlate these with lumbar pain, history of trauma and training load.

METHOD: Eighteen competitive-level Olympic-style gymnasts aged 8-17 years, with an average age of 11.3 years, were evaluated on a voluntary basis. The gymnasts answered a questionnaire about their sports activities and underwent a clinical examination and lumbar spine radiography.

RESULTS

The radiographs were analyzed by orthopedists specializing in surgery of the vertebral column. The prevalence of spondylolysis was 5.56%, while no cases of spondylolisthesis were found.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of the radiographic abnormalities identified was similar to what has been reported in the literature for non-athletic individuals, and the lumbalgia reported by these athletes did not show any direct relationship with spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis.