Pars Defect Treatments in New Jersey
The slightest dysfunction or defect in the lower spine can bring someone’s life to a halt due to pain, and it can also reduce the range of motion. If someone regularly complains of lower back pain, they should visit Dr. Branko Skovrlj, the lead neurosurgeon at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute in New Jersey. An early diagnosis helps identify underlying causes of back pain, which may be pars defect. Dr. Skovrlj then finds an effective treatment for the pain.
The best spine procedures are always available at NU-Spine because it’s a state-of-the-art facility with advanced technology. Don’t allow pain to disrupt the flow of your life. Learn more about pars defect.
What Is Pars Defect (Lumbar Spondylolysis)?
Pars defect is also known as lumbar spondylolysis. It’s one of the common causes of pain in the lower back. The condition arises when the pars interarticularis, a narrow, bony bridge near the base of the spine, breaks. The fracture can be a thin stress fracture or a complete break, and both can cause pain.
The term spondylolysis is a combination of spondyl (meaning “spine bone”) and lysis (meaning “to break”). The term “spondylolysis” is used interchangeably with pars defect, so they both refer to the same type of fracture.
Pars defect is more common among teenagers, especially young athletes, but it also affects adults. In some cases, people with pars defect don’t experience any symptoms. If symptoms are present, they include lower back pain that:
- Spreads across the lower back
- Worsens if the back extends
- Feels like a muscle strain
This kind of back pain affects a person’s ability to work, sit, walk, and do many other daily activities.
What Causes Pars Defect?
The spine of the lower back supports a person’s upper body weight. Due to its position and purpose, the lower back is prone to injury and damage, resulting in lower back pain and range of motion restrictions. The pars interarticularis is susceptible to trauma, especially among adolescents. This small segment of bone joins the facet joints at the back of the spine.
The pars interarticularis stabilizes the posterior part of the spine by preventing the vertebrae from slipping forward. Common causes of spondylolysis include:
- Overuse of the lower back from repetitive, bending motions
- A genetic weakness of the pars interarticularis
- Extreme force directed at the bone
If patients experience persistent lower back pain, the spine doctors at NU-Spine have the latest technology to pinpoint the underlying cause of the problem. NU-Spine uses specialized spinal treatment procedures to help individuals return to an active lifestyle. Early diagnosis enables effective pars defect treatment, so don’t hesitate to seek medical advice when experiencing lower back pain.
What Are the Symptoms of Pars Defect?
The spinal column protects the spinal cord and provides crucial support to the skeletal frame. This is why neurosurgeons encourage patients to get an early diagnosis for the best treatment results. While pars defect is not life-threatening, the symptoms can alter a normal life due to:
- Persistent lower back pain
- Interference with normal daily activities
- Inability to earn a livelihood due to nagging pain
- Stiffness in the back, making it difficult to relax
- Muscle spasms or weakness
- Frequent headaches
- Insomnia
Receive an early diagnosis at NU-Spine in northern New Jersey. Dr. Skovrlj can find a way to ease pain and resolve the underlying issue. He uses advanced surgical techniques to restore the patient’s back to its full function. However, pars defect must be caught early for the best possible outcome.
Is Pars Defect Curable?
Most spine injuries or ailments require immediate professional attention. If a patient has spondylolysis, conservative treatments like pain therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and muscle relaxers may work to treat the pain, but these treatments do nothing to prevent future pain.
When a patient wants the pain to disappear for good, pars defect surgery becomes necessary. NU-Spine has the expertise to perform most spine surgeries, including a procedure to address spondylolysis. NU-Spine likes to employ minimally invasive spine surgical procedures because they:
- Lower surgical risks
- Lessen blood loss and bruising
- Allow more accurate procedures
- Reduce muscle and nerve damage
- Encourage faster recovery times
At NU-Spine, the medical team has state-of-the-art equipment. The goal of surgery is to repair and strengthen the pars interarticularis. Metallic elements may be used, but often a graft helps the bone grow back together.
There are several options for treating pars defect, and the proper procedure is chosen based on the level of severity and the patient’s condition. Surgical options for pars defect include:
- Spinal fusion: This is a procedure in which two or more vertebrae are fused together, creating one solid bone with no space in between.
- Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF): This procedure involves removing an intervertebral disc and then joining the vertebrae together, using a piece of hardware to replace the disc.
- Extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF): This procedure is like a TLIF, except the surgeon enters laterally or from the side.
- Lumbar decompression: This procedure relieves pressure by removing the lamina section of one or more vertebrae.
Recovery may take several days in a managed hospital setting. Once a patient is home, he or she is encouraged to walk and move around a few times per day. Physical therapy and moderate exercise can begin after about six weeks, and it may take two months or more to heal fully.
Choose NU-Spine to Treat Pars Defect
The world-renowned staff at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute are advocates of minimally invasive surgery. Our neurologists believe the technique is on par with traditional spinal surgery but is less invasive, leading to a quicker healing time for the patient.
Whether you have a pars defect and are looking for relief, or need an accurate diagnosis for your pain, visit NU-Spine as soon as possible. We have convenient locations in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, Holmdel, and Hainesport, New Jersey. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.