Spondylolysis in Scheuermann's Disease

Increased lumbar lordosis places increased stress on the pars interarticularis. Fatigue fractures of the pars can result in spondylolysis. There was a 50% incidence of asymptomatic spondylolysis in 18 patients who had Scheuermann's kyphosis and an increased lumbar lordosis. This significant increase further confirms the patho-genesis of spondylolysis. Patients with Scheurmann's disease with low-back pain should be evaluated with oblique radiographs of the lumbar spine to rule out spondylolysis.