Stress fractures of the pars interarticularis of the lumbar spine in professional fast bowlers have become commonplace in recent times. Should conservative measures in their treatment fail, surgery can give good results. Postoperative rehabilitation is of the utmost importance following surgery and a suggested programme is outlined.

Post operatively, exercises and rehabilitation should proceed at a rate that is proportional to graft incorporation at the surgical site. Our rehabilitation programme has been fine tuned over several years giving much clearer guidance regarding that bowlers’ progress.

We have rehabilitated 12 fast bowlers subsequent to Bucks repair of the pars interarticularis stress fracture in the lumbar spine. We have identified 7 stages in this process to rehabilitate the bowler to the highest level. We emphasise that the process of rehabilitation involves a team approach, the most important members being surgeon, physiotherapist, bowling coach and trainer.

Surgery to the fast bowler with a stress fracture of the pars interarticularis can give good results. However it is necessary to have a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme that proceeds in a stepwise manner to enable a return to full sport.