The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
Pars defect repair surgery
SURGERY TO REPAIR PARS DEFECT
Pars defects can lead to pain in your lower back. This can be repaired by placing a screw across the fracture, allowing it to heal over time.
What is Pars defect?
Pars defect is a condition that affects the lumbar (lower) spine. The front and back parts of your vertebra (spine bones) become separated as a result of repeated stress and strain.
This can cause you to experience severe pain in your lower back. Your surgeon can carry out a procedure to treat this, allowing your bone to repair itself.
Need to know
Pars defect repair surgery is normally carried out under general anaesthetic.Your surgeon's techniques may vary, but they may do the following. They'll start by making an incision in your lower back. Then, using surgical instruments and X-ray images, your surgeon will place screws across the two parts of the vertebra that have been separated. This will hold the bones together while they heal. Your surgeon will finish by closing the incision in your back.
Surgery to repair a pars defect is considered a major procedure. Your consultant will explain this in detail and answer any questions you might have. The nature of pars defect repair surgery means you will undergo a range of tests beforehand. This will include X-rays to gain a greater understanding of your injury.
Recovery time for pars defect repair surgery can vary for each individual. You may be kept in hospital for up to a week and during this time, you may have to wear a back brace. This is to ensure your back and vertebrae are held in a fixed position. Our nurses will continue to monitor and care for you whilst in hospital.
When you’re ready to go home you may be given pain relief medication. Your consultant will advise you on your rehabilitation process, including walking and light exercise. They will also arrange follow-up appointments for you.
If you have any questions or concerns, your consultant will answer these for you.
Our Pars defect repair surgery locations
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.