Physical Factors Associated With Stage Progression of Lumbar Spondylolysis: A Prospective Cohort Study in Male Adolescent Soccer Players.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lumbar spondylolysis (LS) has distinct pathologic stages, and worsening LS can cause poor bone union and low back pain. However, the risk factors involved in LS pathogenesis remain unclear.

Purpose

To identify risk factors associated with the pathologic progression of LS at the L5 in adolescent male soccer players.

Study design

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

A total of 189 male adolescent soccer players aged 12 to 14 years were recruited. We used lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine adolescent soccer players' lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), sacral rotation angle, maturity stage of the lumbar vertebral bodies, and bone marrow edema (BMO) at L5. In addition, whole-body dual-energy x-ray scans measured bone mine

SUBMITTER: Tsutsui T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12808583 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature