NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute is a state-of-the-art pain center offering a range of specialized treatment options, including pars repair surgery,  at locations near you near you in New Jersey, Florida, and Pennsylvania. We help patients feel better without compromising their mobility.
Key Takeaways
- Spondylolysis, also called a pars defect, is a hairline fracture on the bones that connect vertebrae together. It is most often caused by stress.
- Pars repair surgery uses titanium screws and bone graft to repair a spondylolysis fracture. It is a motion-preserving surgery that lets patients resume sports activities after healing.
- Good candidates for pars repair surgery include young, active patients with good bone health and fractures on only one level of the spine.
- For older patients, inactive ones, and people with arthritis or other degenerative conditions, spinal fusion may be recommended for superior long-term stability.
What Is Spondylolysis?
Spondylolysis, also called a pars defect, is a small crack in the pars interarticularis. The pars interarticularis is the tiny ridge of bone that links vertebrae together. This ridge may crack, usually due to stress or overuse. The resulting fracture may not cause any symptoms at all, or it may cause lower back pain. Pain caused by spondylolysis:
- Spreads into the buttocks and thighs
- Gets worse with physical activity
- Gets worse when bending backward
Many patients get good results from conservative treatment. Rest and a brace give the spine opportunity to heal, while medications or targeted injections reduce discomfort. Physical therapy strengthens the back, takes stress off the spine, and reduces the risk of a second injury. However, if the pain does not get better with nonoperative treatments, then surgery may be required.
What Is Pars Repair Surgery?
Pars repair surgery is a surgical procedure to repair the fractured bone and stabilize the spine. The surgery is performed by making a two- to three-inch incision over the fractured vertebra. A strong titanium screw is placed to secure the two sides of the fracture together. Bone graft may then be placed to provide extra support and encourage healing.
While the procedure uses similar techniques to lumbar spinal fusion, it is not a spinal fusion. The screw and bone graft are only used on the pars interarticularis, keeping the vertebrae independent of one another. This allows the patient to preserve their original mobility. After a few months of recovery and rehabilitation, most patients can return to their previous level of activity and sports involvement without pain. They stay just as flexible and able to perform sports-related movements.
Who Is a Candidate for Pars Repair Surgery?
Motion-preserving surgery is the preferred option for young, physically active patients who want to continue their current level of sports involvement. The surgery relieves pain while letting them pursue the same activities they enjoyed before their injury. The following factors indicate that pars repair surgery might be a good option:
- Sports involvement
- Mild to moderate fractures
- Good bone health
- No movement between vertebrae
For older patients, inactive individuals, or those with poor bone health, lumbar spinal fusion may be a better option. Spinal fusion uses bone graft to fuse two or more vertebrae together. While it sacrifices some mobility, fusion provides better long-term stability. Fusion is also preferred for multi-level procedures and cases where vertebrae have moved out of their normal positions (spondylolisthesis).
Find Expert Surgery for Spondylolysis Near You, Florida, and Pennsylvania
Pars repair surgery can preserve mobility for patients with spondylolysis, helping them maintain their active lifestyles. Transform your life with a touch of care at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. Our spine surgeons provide personalized care plans to help patients get the best outcomes. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment at one of our locations near you in New Jersey, Florida, or Pennsylvania.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pars Repair Surgery
How is spondylolysis diagnosed?
Spondylolysis is diagnosed using a careful series of tests. First, the physician conducts a physical exam to learn more about the patient’s symptoms, mobility, and medical history. They ask when the patient first noticed the pain and what they were doing before the pain started. The physician then requests medical imaging, including X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to look for bone fractures and soft tissue damage.
What nonoperative treatments should be tried before pars repair surgery?
Depending on how severe the crack is, spondylolysis may respond well to conservative treatments. Rest, activity modifications, medications, and corticosteroid injections relieve pain and inflammation while giving the spine time to heal. Physical therapy may also be recommended to strengthen the spine and take pressure off the fractured vertebra.
Who is a good candidate for pars repair as a motion-preserving option?
Pars repair is most often recommended for young, active patients whose pain does not respond to conservative care. Active patients will get the most benefit out of motion-preserving surgery, and they will be less at risk of spinal degeneration and instability. Pars repair is not recommended for patients with disc disease, slipped vertebrae, arthritis, or other spine conditions that may lessen the long-term benefits of pars repair. For these patients, spinal fusion is preferred.