Bracing
Shriners Children's multidisciplinary team includes orthotists who create braces to meet the individual need of each child – whether to treat a complex condition or common injury.
Spondylolisthesis
Shriners Children's medical team can help get your child's future back on track.
Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which a vertebra, weakened by fracture, slips out of alignment with the rest of the spine. It is closely related to another back condition that Shriners Children's physicians are highly skilled in treating, spondylosis.
Most cases of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are repetitive stress injuries that develop during intense athletic training. Athletes who participate in sports that put repeated pressure on the lower back, such as gymnastics, basketball, rowing, diving, downhill ski racing and weightlifting, are particularly prone to this condition. As the athlete’s muscles become overly fatigued, the stress of the workload is transferred to their bones. Over time, the continued pressure can cause stress fractures in the lower back.
Your Shriners Children's physician will perform a thorough history and physical exam, have X-rays taken and discuss with you the details of your child's condition. Together, you will develop a personalized treatment plan that may include observation, temporary limits on physical activity, bracing, physical therapy or surgery.
Athletes with either condition can usually return to sports after several months of rest and physical therapy. Your child may need to wear a back brace as part of their recovery. In rare situations, if a vertebra is severely out of alignment or if your child remains in pain after other forms of treatment, they may need spinal fusion surgery from one of our skilled, experienced physicians.
Specific treatments and services may vary by location. Please contact a specific location for more information.
I’m playing the game I love. There was a time when I thought I might not be able to do that.
Locations for Spondylolisthesis care
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Shriners Children's provides specialty health care to children around the world. We offer a comprehensive range of treatments, services and support to improve the quality of our patients’ lives and help them reach their full potential.
We'll Get Your Child Back in the Game
Shriners Children's is known across the country for treating some of the most rare pediatric orthopedic conditions. We also have nationally recognized sports medicine care. Our skilled experienced physicians use the latest technology and proven treatments to help get young athletes back into competition. And we don't stop there. Our motion analysis team can take your child's athletic goals and customize a plan to help them stay healthy when they return to their sport.
Services We Provide
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Radiology and Imaging
Shriners Children's radiology and imaging services are a noninvasive way for physicians to see what's going on inside a child's body. Our radiology and imaging professionals work to do this in the safest way possible.
Next Steps
Request an Appointment
Families and caregivers seeking treatment should start by contacting us for an appointment.
Log in to the Patient Portal
Parents and guardians of existing patients can email, request records, schedule appointments and more.
Refer a Patient
Physicians and healthcare providers can request appointments, start transfers or contact us with questions.