- 15 yo athletic son has had 10 months of Left lower back pain. MRIs & xrays showed left spondylolysis in June, and now bilateral, complete fracture but still marrow edema. Also disc herniation L5-S1. - He's been in a lumbar corset for 6 months and stopped playing competitively 10 months ago, and suspended all athletic activity 6 months ago. He's been recommended by one orthopedist for PLIF fusion. - We'd really like to find out what non-surgical options are available and are considering (1) cortico-steroid injections to reduce inflammation around pars defect (Might the spondylolysis heal?) (2) prolotherapy (3) sonocur shockwave therapy. Does anyone know if any of these might effective? - Are there any other options we should be considering? - If we end up with the surgery, we're also trying to understand the differences between TLIF & PLIF as different surgeons seem to recommend one or the other, either open or Minimally Invasive. Thanks so much. :Dani, NYCView Thread