Spine With Spondylolisthesis (Anterolisthesis), Grade 3 – Female, 17 Years

Grade 3 spondylolisthesis, a defect in the pars interarticularis of the posterior vertebral arch. A common cause of axial back pain in adolescents, especially young athletes, the defect typically occurs in the lumbar spine, most often at L5.  Spondylolysis can persist to become spondylolisthesis, in this case anterolisthesis. Typically, the L5 vertebral body slips forward on the S1 vertebral body, but also commonly occurs at the L4 and L5 levels. Patients unresponsive to conservative measures may benefit from surgical management.