Spondylolisthesis in the athlete.

The diagnosis and appropriate management of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in the athlete can be challenging for the treating orthopaedic surgeon. With an increase in the number of skeletally immature athletes competing at more demanding levels of competition, an associated increase in the number of such cases may be seen. Management strategy is directed by the symptoms, the age of the patient, and the severity of the spondylolisthesis.