Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis are chronic medical conditions affecting the bones of the spinal column.

Nomenclature: Spondylolysis, Spondylolisthesis.

Is your adolescent an athlete? Does he or she complain of a low back pain? An X -ray would probably reveal the most common cause-a stress fracture in one of the vertebrae (bones that make up the back-bone).

Medically, this condition is termed Spondylolysis (spon-dee-low-lye-sis). Usually the fifth lumbar vertebra in the lower back is affected, but, sometimes, it could even be the fourth lumbar vertebra.

Increased stress fracture can weaken the bone so much that, the vertebra starts to shift out of its original position. This condition, then, is called Spondylolisthesis (spon-dee-low-lis-thee-sis). In other words, there is a forward displacement or slipping of one vertebra over the other vertebra present below it.

Spondylolisthesis is derived from two Greek words, 'spondylo' that refers to "vertebra" and 'olisthesis' meaning "slip."

Spondylolisthesis can occur anytime -

at birth

during childhood or adolescence

during adulthood or old age

Spondylolisthesis