Characteristics of low back pain in adolescent patients with early-stage spondylolysis evaluated using a detailed visual analogue scale

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective comparative cohort study. OBJECTIVE To elucidate the characteristics of low back pain (LBP) in adolescent patients with early-stage spondylolysis (ESS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA ESS is a common cause of acute LBP in adolescents. When treating patients with ESS, early diagnosis is important; however, early diagnosis is difficult without magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS Adolescent patients (n = 77) with acute LBP showing no pathological findings on plain radiography were included (