Stiffness or increasing pain when arching your back may be more than just muscle soreness—it could indicate spondylolysis. Spondylolysis is a stress fracture or defect in the pars interarticularis—a small segment at the rear of the vertebra—which can cause instability in spinal movement and lead to pain. Since it often resembles general lower back pain, many cases go unnoticed. However, without proper diagnosis and treatment, the condition may worsen over time.
Spondylolysis commonly affects people in physically demanding jobs, athletes who place repetitive strain on the spine, or individuals with habits that chronically stress the lower back. Even without a family history, poor posture and excessive back use can be primary causes. Pain during activities like lifting or climbing stairs, especially if it worsens when bending backward, may signal more than muscle fatigue. These symptoms could point to an underlying structural issue and require accurate diagnosis.
Early-stage spondylolysis often responds well to conservative treatment, including medication, physical therapy, and targeted exercise. These therapies help strengthen spinal muscles and improve vertebral stability, relieving symptoms. However, without treatment, spondylolysis may progress to spondylolisthesis—a condition where the vertebra slips out of place—causing nerve compression, back pain, numbness, or even leg weakness.
Even in cases where spondylolisthesis is present, if vertebral slippage is minimal and symptoms are mild, non-surgical treatments can often provide relief. If conservative approaches prove ineffective—or if symptoms such as limb weakness, bowel or bladder dysfunction, or muscle atrophy occur—surgical interventions like microscopic decompression or minimally invasive spinal fusion may be necessary. Recently, minimally invasive spinal procedures have become more widely available, offering smaller incisions, faster recovery, and a quicker return to normal daily activities.
Because early symptoms of spondylolysis can be mild, many patients overlook them and miss the ideal treatment window. However, timely diagnosis allows for non-surgical management through muscle strengthening and rehabilitation. If the condition progresses and leads to prolonged nerve compression, recovery after surgery may take longer. Therefore, recurrent or atypical back pain should prompt a medical evaluation to rule out nerve involvement.
In addition, consistent strengthening exercises and proper lifestyle habits are vital for long-term spinal health. Most importantly, early intervention remains the key to preventing complications.
Lim Hye Jung, HEALTH IN NEWS TEAM
press@hinews.co.kr
