Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 9/11/2009

Question
QUESTION: My daughter is an 11 yr old gymnast complaining of back pain. Her ortho doc suspects spondylolisthesis. She had an xray but didn't show anything.  He wants to do a bone scan. Is this safe and should I go to a chiropractor for treatment?  Thank you

ANSWER: Spondylolisthesis would show on an x ray.  However, he may suspect "something' by ordering the bone scan.  I would ask for a copy of the xray report and see if there is anything suggested that would necessitate a bone scan.  I would then find a good chiropractor to assess and treat your daughter.  It may very well be only simple misalignment causing pain.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your quick response.  Her doctor told me that spondylolisthesis only shows up about 15% of the time on an xray.  If she would have a fracture, would spinal manipulation hurt her?  Also, what other problems could they be looking for?
Thank you!

Answer
Just in case there may be a fracture, I would hold off any manipulation.  There can be many things that they are looking for from developmental abnormalities to disease processes.  An excellent site for information is:  http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00053