Related Experiment Videos
Halah Kutaish1, Rafaël Hauser1, Dennis E Dominguez1
1Service de chirurgie orthopédique et traumatologie, Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, 1211 Genève 14.
Revue Medicale Suisse
|July 17, 2026
Summary
Individualized surgical strategies for athletic spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis optimize return to play (RTP). Pars repair offers faster recovery, while fusion suits complex cases, with RTP typically 4-8 months.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Spine Surgery
Background:
- Isthmic spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are common in athletes.
- Surgical management requires careful consideration of individual factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current surgical management strategies for isthmic spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in athletes.
- To discuss factors influencing surgical decision-making and return to play.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on surgical techniques for spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis.
- Analysis of outcomes related to different surgical approaches and return to play timelines.
Main Results:
- Direct pars repair preserves motion and may expedite return to play.
- In situ fusion is the standard for high-grade slips or neurological involvement, with 80-90% success.
- Minimally invasive and robot-assisted techniques show promise but lack long-term data.
Conclusions:
- Individualized surgical management is crucial for athletes with spondylolysis/spondylolisthesis.
- Return to play is typically 4-8 months post-surgery.
- Further prospective studies are needed to standardize return to play criteria and guide technique selection.