Spondylolisthesis in pre-school children

Abstract

Although the natural history of spondylolisthesis is poorly described, we know that it is rare to see the condition in children before they are 5 or 6 years old.

Treatment in these patients may be confusing because there is very little literature on the subject, and most papers are case reports. We present a series of eight pre-school patients (mean age 3.5 years; range 9 months to 5 years) with spondylolisthesis with an average follow up of 11.5 years (range 9-14 years)

In our experience, general guidelines for treatment as given by Wiltse and Jackson are useful in patients younger than 5 years. Nowadays we have to keep strict control of these patients due to their important capacity for growth that increases the possibility of further slippage.

CITATION  J Pediatr Orthop B. 2004 Jul;13(4):225-30