Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in children and adolescents: II. Surgical management.

Surgical management is indicated for children and adolescents with spondylolysis and low-grade spondylolisthesis (< or =50% slip) who fail to respond to nonsurgical measures. In situ posterolateral L5 to S1 fusion is the best option for those with a low-grade slip secondary to L5 pars defects or dysplastic spondylolisthesis at the lumbosacral junction. Pars repair is reserved for patients with symptomatic spondylolysis and low-grade, mobile spondylolisthesis with pars defects cephalad to L5 and for those with multiple-level defects.

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in children and adolescents: I. Diagnosis, natural history, and nonsurgical management.

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are often diagnosed in children presenting with low back pain. Spondylolysis refers to a defect of the vertebral pars interarticularis. Spondylolisthesis is the forward translation of one vertebral segment over the one beneath it.

Ultrasound-guided aspiration of the hip in children: a new technique.

Evaluation of the child presenting with an irritable hip often requires aspiration of the hip. There are various methods for doing this procedure. We present a new technique for hip aspiration using high-resolution ultrasound imaging with color Doppler and a needle guide.

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in the child and adolescent athlete.

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are common causes of low back pain in the competitive athlete. Repetitive loading of the lumbar spine results in stress reactions and spondylytic defects of the pars interarticularis. Spondylolysis and lesser degrees of spondylolisthesis frequently respond to activity restrictions, bracing (in specific situations), and physiotherapy.