At NCH, Dr. Robert Palmer, pediatric orthopedic surgeon, and Dr. Nick Clark, orthopedic spine surgeon at HSS at NCH, are advancing care for young athletes with pars fractures by combining robotic technology with targeted bone grafting, offering a minimally invasive alternative to traditional spinal fusion. Using the Globus robotic system, they can precisely place screws and healing materials through very small incisions to stabilize the fracture while preserving spinal motion. This approach significantly reduces recovery time, enabling many athletes to return to sports in as little as three to four months compared to up to a year with fusion surgery, while also minimizing tissue damage and postoperative discomfort.
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