1.Characteristics of Lumbar Spondylolysis in Adolescent Baseball Players: Relationship between the Laterality of Lumbar Spondylolysis and the Throwing or Batting Side
Shotaro TERUYA ; Toru FUNAYAMA ; Masaki TATSUMURA ; Hisanori GAMADA ; Shun OKUWAKI ; Takeo MAMMOTO ; Atsushi HIRANO ; Masashi YAMAZAKI
Asian Spine Journal 2024;18(2):260-264
Methods:
The study included 85 players. Participants were divided into two groups: pitchers and fielders. The association between the laterality of spondylolysis and the throwing/batting side in the overall cohort and between the two groups was evaluated.
Results:
Among pitchers, 16 lesions appeared on the throwing side and 32 on the nonthrowing side (p =0.029). For fielders, no notable difference was observed between the two sides (p =0.363). Furthermore, batting preference did not influence the laterality of spondylolysis in either group.
Conclusions
Adolescent baseball players, particularly pitchers, exhibited a higher incidence of lumbar spondylolysis on the side opposite their throwing arm. The findings of this study highlight the significant effect of asymmetrical sporting activities on the development of spondylolysis, to which pitchers are particularly susceptible.