Raising awareness: Pars fracture risk in young cricketers

Pars stress fractures in young cricketers: what you need to know

Cricket is tough on the body, especially for young fast bowlers. We’re seeing more teenage players come to us with pars stress fractures—a common injury that affects the lower spine due to repeated strain.

If your child plays cricket and has ongoing lower back pain, it’s important to get it checked early.

What is a pars stress fracture?

Also called spondylolysis, this injury happens when a small bone in the lower spine, the pars interarticularis, develops a stress fracture from repeated impact.

It’s most common in fast bowlers aged 14 to 17 because their bones are still growing, making them more vulnerable to stress injuries. The fast bowling motion—combined with a long run-up and powerful release—puts a huge strain on the lower spine.

Signs to look out for

Pars fractures don’t always cause obvious symptoms, but some key signs include:

• lower back pain, on one side or both
• pain that gets worse with activity
• pain spreading to the legs or thighs
• a “pins and needles” sensation in the leg, sometimes with numbness or weakness

Because this injury develops over time, it’s sometimes mistaken for soft tissue damage, which can delay treatment.

Why early diagnosis matters

If a pars fracture isn’t treated early, it can lead to more serious problems like spondylolisthesis, where a vertebra slips out of place.

Fast bowlers are particularly at risk, with up to 67% experiencing this injury at some point in their careers. Stress fractures account for 15% of all missed playing time in cricket.

How we treat pars fractures

The good news? With early intervention, most players make a full recovery without surgery.

At LOC, we offer a custom spinal brace designed to stabilise the spine, reduce pain, and promote healing. It’s usually worn for three to six months, depending on the consultant’s advice.

If a fracture doesn’t heal with bracing and rest, surgery may be considered, but in our experience, none of our braced patients have needed surgery.

You can download our pars fracture arwareness campaing poaster (PDF) here.

Get checked early

If your child has persistent back pain from cricket, don’t wait. A GP referral and MRI scan can help catch a pars fracture early and prevent long-term damage.

We’ve been successfully treating young cricketers with this injury for years, and further research into our treatment outcomes will be available next year.

For more information, or to book a consultation, get in touch with our team today.