Bone stimulator treatment for spondylolysis in athletes

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a prospective interventional study enrolling athletes with symptomatic spondylolysis who will receive bone stimulation in addition to standard-of-care treatment and prescribed physical therapy, compared with those receiving standard care alone. Investigators will track outcomes including pain scores, functional improvement, radiographic osseous union, and time to return to sport. Key eligibility includes ages 16–40, regular sports participation, and ability to attend physical therapy, while exclusions include prior spine surgery, pacemaker/ICD, metabolic bone disease, nicotine use, and other contraindications. The study is conducted at Houston Methodist Hospital and targets athletic populations to define the adjunct role of bone stimulation for pars defects.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients between the ages of 16 to 40 years of age diagnosed with symptomatic spondylolysis by one of the investigators
* Patients who plan to attend prescribed physical therapy
* Patients who participate in a regular sport whether that be professional, collegiate or recreational

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any condition which in the investigator's opinion, would interfere with the subject's ability to comply with study instructions
* Patients with contraindications to bone stimulator therapy
* Patients with pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator
* Patients with previous spine surgery
* Patients with metabolic bone conditions
* Patients who use nicotine products
* Vulnerable populations
* Non-English speaking services

Where it's running

• Houston Methodist Hospital
  Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Mark Prasarn, MD — The Methodist Hospital Research Institute
• Study coordinator: Haley Goble, MHA
• Email: hmgoble@houstonmethodist.org
• Phone: 713-441-3930

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Comparing warm-up routines to improve performance in competitive young swimmers

  This trial will try three short dry‑land warm-ups—squats with resistance bands, box drop jumps, and their combination—to see if they temporarily boost performance in trained young swimmers.

  Recruiting University of Palermo · Bagheria, Palermo · NCT07240597

• Scapular stabilization exercises to improve shooting in traditional archers

  This 8-week program tests whether adding scapular stabilization exercises to regular training improves shooting accuracy and shoulder strength in licensed traditional archers aged 15 to 35.

  Recruiting Karabuk University · Bursa, Osmangazi̇ · NCT07002008

• Impact of delivery methods on elite female athletes

  This study is testing how different childbirth methods, like vaginal birth and cesarean section, affect the health and performance of elite female athletes.

  Recruiting Faculty Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady · Prague · NCT06803979

• Understanding how menstrual cycle phases affect training load in female athletes

  This study looks at how different phases of the menstrual cycle affect training and performance in female athletes to see if it can help create better training plans for them.

  Recruiting Wingate Institute · Netanya · NCT06377306

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.