Spondylolysis

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Cervical spondylolysis is a disorder that narrows the spinal canal in the neck compressing the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots. It's a fracture or defect in the pars anticulars (a portion of the bone between each of the joints of the back), allowing one vertebral body to slide forward on the next. Spondylolyosis is sometimes referred to as pars interarticularis defect. It may be unilateral or bilateral and is usually due to a developmental defect but may be secondary to a fracture. Spondylolysis affects the area of the vertebra called the pedicle. The pedicle is part of the bony ring that protects the spinal nerves, and is the portion that connects the vertebral body to the facet joints. It's a disease that often times affects middle-aged and older adults who have degenerative discs and vertebrae in their neck. When a spondylolysis is present, the back part of the vertebra and the facet joints simply are not connected to the body, except by soft tissue.

Symptoms

Symptoms of cervical spondylolysis can be caused by either the spinal cord compression or nerve root damage. They stem from the mechanical instability of the spinal segment that is affected by the disorder. If the spinal cord is compressed often a patient may notice a change in the way they walk. Leg movements may be jerky and walking can become unsteady. A patient may suffer from some general neck pain because of nerve root damage. There may also be some weakness and loss of muscle strength in one or both arms that may develop either before or after signs of spinal cord compression.

Diagnosis

A physician may use a MRI to determine whether or not the spinal cord is narrowing and where the narrowing is occurring, the degree of the compression, and any nerve roots that may be involved. Often non-surgical treatments are helpful in stabilizing or improving the problems caused by cervical spondylolysis. However, if compression progresses surgery may be necessary.

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