Overview
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn more about the natural healing process of pars stress injuries in adolescents and young adults by documenting bony bridging across stress fractures using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). It is hypothesized that many of these injuries can and will heal with appropriate rest and rehabilitation. Long-term, it is hoped that follow-up MRI exams can help guide clinical management by visualizing the healing and allowing individuals to return to play after bony bridging has occurred.
Participants will be asked to undergo serial MRI scans over the course of a 12-month period and answer a brief questionnaire at each visit.
Description
There is not a current, well-established standard of care (SoC) for initial diagnosis or follow-up imaging worldwide and these injuries are likely underdiagnosed. Some practices use conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sequences which can be challenging to interpret, and the patient may undergo repeat testing or alternative imaging including Computed Tomography (CT), bone scans, or repeat MRIs (the former two of which can be high radiation and not optimal at the young age group).
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- 12-30 years old
- Symptoms of back pain at the time of enrollment
- Clinical imaging demonstrating pars stress interarticularis injury or pars interarticularis defect
Exclusion Criteria:
- Prior lumbar surgery
- Any condition for which an MRI procedure is contraindicated (e.g., metallic material in the body such as pacemakers, metallic clips, etc.)
- Pregnancy
- Likelihood of claustrophobia
- Any patient-related factors that compromised quality on the initial diagnostic scan (patient motion, ascites fluid, difficulty with positioning during the scan)
