Norton Children’s Leatherman Spine offers spondylolisthesis treatment for children and teens, including spondylolisthesis surgery.

What Is Spondylolisthesis?

Children can experience a stress fracture in the vertebra of the lower back called spondylolysis. Also called lumbar spondylolisthesis, it is a condition that happens when a vertebrae slips from its normal position in a place where a spondylolysis stress fracture was and became weak.
Spondylolisthesis usually causes the vertebrae to shift forward. If the slip is large enough, it may cause the nerves to become pinched. Spondylolisthesis is diagnosed on a scale from 1 to 5, with type 1 being a mild slip and type 5 a significant slip.
Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis can happen in active children and teens who play sports that use repetitive hyperextension motion of the spine (overstretching), including gymnastics, football, rowing and diving. Some children also have a genetic predisposition to developing spondylolysis.

Spondylolisthesis Symptoms

After a scoliosis procedure, Bailey is on top of her game

From sideways to straight: Bailey’s journey through spinal surgery back to the soccer field

Read Bailey's Story

A child with spondylolisthesis may show symptoms including:

• Back soreness
• Muscle spasms in lower back and back of legs
• Pain in lower back and back of legs
• A change in how the child walks in response to the pain
• Numbness, tingling and problems going to the bathroom

Spondylolisthesis Treatment in Children and Teens

Some degree of spondylolisthesis is common in children and is most often treated with temporary activity restriction (rest) or bracing for a few weeks or months. Other treatments may include:

• Medications to help with back pain and swelling
• Physical therapy may help stretch and strengthen the muscles around the spine
• Surgery may be needed if spondylolisthesis is severe and cannot be treated with nonsurgical therapies

If surgery is required, our pediatric spine specialists have the experience to know whether a limited procedure to repair the bony defect (pars repair) will be sufficient, or whether a more extensive correction of alignment is necessary.

Why Choose Norton Children’s Leatherman Spine

• Children need spine care that’s unique to their growing bodies. We use a team approach to diagnose, treat and rehabilitate spine and spinal cord conditions in children.
• As surgeons, our specialists have the experience to know when surgery can help your child and when more conservative treatments, such as physical therapy and bracing, can help. Most of our patients don’t need surgery.
• Locations in Hikes Point and downtown Louisville are staffed by five physicians and three physician assistants.
• The EOS Imaging system uses extremely low-dose radiation for monitoring spinal conditions, including scoliosis, kyphosis and deformities.
• We’re home to the world’s first implantation of VerteGlide, a system of straightening rods that moves with your child’s growth, reducing the need for follow-up surgical adjustments.
• Our physicians are internationally recognized leaders in clinical research of spinal disease, injury and deformity, opioid management, spine surgical innovations, scoliosis and more.
• Recognized for expertise in pediatric orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report.
• Several of our providers are leaders in the Scoliosis Research Society, the most prestigious organization for scoliosis surgeons around the world.
• Norton Children’s Hospital is verified as a Level I Children’s Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons Children’s Surgery Verification (ACS CSV) Quality Improvement Program.
• Medicaid and most major commercial insurance are accepted. Financial assistance also is available.
• Use your free Norton MyChart account to communicate with your provider, manage appointments, refill prescriptions and more.