M43.0: Spondylolysis

Spondylolysis is a medical condition characterized by a defect or stress fracture in the pars interarticularis of the vertebral arch, typically affecting one of the lumbar vertebrae in the lower back. The pars interarticularis is a small, thin portion of the vertebra that connects the upper and lower segments. This defect can be present on one side of the spine, both sides, or it can be multi-segmental. Most commonly, spondylolysis presents during childhood, but it may remain asymptomatic until adulthood. Symptoms, if they occur, often include lower back pain that worsens with activity or exercise and eases with rest. The condition may be due to repeated stress and overuse, particularly in sports that involve hyperextension of the back, or it could be due to an innate structural weakness.

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