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What is Spondylolisthesis?
Spondylolisthesis is spinal disorder in which a bone (vertebra) slips forward onto the bone below it. This disease causes one of the lower vertebrae to slip forward onto the bone directly beneath it. It’s a painful condition but treatable in most cases. Both therapeutic and surgical methods may be used. Proper exercise techniques can help you avoid this condition.
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Symptoms of spondylolisthesis
The symptoms of spondylolisthesis vary. People with mild cases may not have any symptoms. However, those with severe cases may be unable to perform daily activities. Some of the most common symptoms are:
- persistent lower back pain
- stiffness in your back and legs
- lower back tenderness
- thigh pain
- tight hamstring and buttock muscles
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Causes of Spondylolisthesis
Causes of spondylolisthesis vary based on age, heredity, and lifestyle. Children may suffer from this condition as the result of a birth defect or injury. However, people of all ages are susceptible if the condition runs in the family. Rapid growth during adolescence may also be a contributing factor.
Playing sports may also cause your strain to overstretch and put stress on your lower back.
The following sports are especially likely to cause this condition:
- football
- gymnastics
- track and field
- weightlifting
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Treating spondylolisthesis
The treatment for spondylolisthesis depends on your severity of pain and vertebra slippage. Nonsurgical treatments can help ease pain and encourage the bone to go back into place. It’s important to avoid contact sports during the healing process.
Common nonsurgical treatment methods include:
- wearing a back brace
- doing physical therapy exercises
- taking over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) to reduce pain
- using epidural steroid injections
We recommends trying nonsurgical treatments first. However, adults suffering from severe cases of spondylolisthesis may need to have a surgery called a spinal fusion.
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Surgery Procedure
Surgical correction of the misplaced vertebra is required when the bone has slipped so far down that your spine doesn’t respond to nonsurgical therapies. Surgery is also required if the bones of your spine are pressing on your nerves.
Your doctor will work to stabilize your spine by using a bone graft and metal rods. They may insert an internal brace to help support the vertebra while it heals.
