WAG Spondylolisthesis

[Amel2007]

My daughter has been having lower back pain since right before the Holidays. We consult a very good chiropractor regularly. This week, since my daughter’s pain won’t go away after multiple adjustments and exercices, the chiropractor said that she suspected spondylolisthesis. She has restricted what my daughter can do at practice until next week, when an X-ray will be done to confirm her hunch. The chiropractor asked us to massage the spot where it hurts (ligament is very tight) and put ice for 10 minutes every 45 minutes. Has anyone else had experience with spondylolisthesis? If so what was the treatment? How long was your kid out of gym? I think I need a bit of reassurance...

 

[bogwoppit]

If this is suspected I would see an orthopaedic specialist who has experience with gymnasts. You can search here, there are many, many threads about it. A chiro is not where I would be looking for diagnosis or treatment.

 

[gasrgoose]

^^^^^ Could not agree more. We've been through it also. 6 weeks in a hard custom brace for 23 hours a day. Probably 6 months before back to normal. But it's the back and we weren't willing to risk ruining the rest of her life by not treating it properly.

 

[CLgym]

I would just add that an X-ray may not pick up a stress fracture or stress reaction.... My DD had an MRI when there was concern over her chronic back pain. She was being treated by a pediatric orthopaedic sports medicine specialist at the time.

 

[Sk8ermaiden]

I want to third or fourth that you need to be seeing an orthopedist for this. A pediatric sports medicine orthopedist would be preferable. Spondy is very serious.

 

[Amel2007]

Thank you all for your comments!