Because spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis can cause significant hip or knee pain, the presence of degenerative arthritis at these joints must be considered. A thorough physical exam should include hip range of motion and assessment of internal and external rotation.
Damage to L4 and L5, including spondylolisthesis, can lead to hip pain. This is because the misaligned vertebrae can press on nerves that extend through the hips. When these nerves become irritated, inflamed, or damaged, the patient may experience significant hip and leg pain.
pain in your lower back, often worse when standing or walking and relieved when sitting or bending forward. pain spreading to your bottom or thighs. tight hamstrings (the muscles in the back of your thighs) pain, numbness or tingling spreading from your lower back down 1 leg (sciatica)
Lumbar spondylolisthesis can be acute or chronic. Back pain with spine extension is the main complaint, but it also can present with groin pain, buttock pain, hamstring pain, sciatica lower leg pain, muscle tightness, leg/foot numbness and leg weakness.
Spondylolisthesis flare-ups are generally caused by exercise or fast, sudden motions. These factors place added stress on the spine, which may worsen nerve compression from spondylolisthesis.
Most patients with spondylolisthesis should avoid activities that might cause more stress to the lumbar spine, such as heavy lifting and sports/activities like gymnastics, football, competitive swimming, and diving.
Spondylolisthesis Exercises to Avoid
Typically, you'll want to avoid exercises which require twisting, bending, or flexing of the spine. Sports and movements to avoid include: Certain pilates and yoga poses e.g. upward dog, cobra. Gymnastics.
In the case of an L4-L5 lumbar disc herniation, the lower back pain can radiate to the hip and leg. When you have a herniated disc in the lumbar spine, the pain is not always located in the affected area. In many cases, the patient begins to notice discomfort in areas that are related to each other.
Sitting doesn't directly cause spondylolisthesis. However, in patients who have spondylolisthesis, sitting can trigger pain flare-ups. Specifically, sitting in a slouched, twisted, or bent position can lead to spondylolisthesis pain.
Repetitive extension and hyperextension, along with rotation, are risk factors for developing and aggravating spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis.
“When you have a herniated disc, the pain is usually constant. With spondylolisthesis, you tend to just have pain when you stand or walk.
Pain that fails to relieve predictably with rest (“night pain”) and associated constitutional symptoms (fever, chills, unintended weight loss) are always red flags for further investigation to avoid delays in making important diagnoses, such as malignancy or infection.
Stretching your glute muscles can help to relieve tightness and tension. It can also lessen lower back pain, including pain caused by spondylolisthesis.
Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica most often occurs when a herniated disk or an overgrowth of bone puts pressure on part of the nerve.
The lumbar spine contains specific nerves that can influence the feelings in the region around the hip area. If the problem originates in the hip joint itself, common symptoms include groin pain on the affected side, and sometimes down the inner aspect of the thigh in the front of the leg.
Non-fusion spinal decompression surgery is an emerging treatment option for patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis. Talk to your physician today to learn more about this type of procedure and whether or not it could help you overcome debilitating symptoms.
It is often due to a birth defect in that area of the spine or sudden injury (acute trauma). In adults, the most common cause is abnormal wear on the cartilage and bones, such as arthritis. The condition mostly affects people over 50 years old.
The most common types of surgery used to correct spondylolisthesis are: laminectomy (removing the part of the bone causing pressure); and/or spinal fusion (fusing the vertebrae together to stabilize the affected area).
Prolonged periods of sitting places the hip flexors, which are the muscles at the top and front aspect of your thigh, into a shortened position. As a result, these muscles can become tight and weak, which ultimately leads to hip pain.
The most common surgical procedure used to treat spondylolisthesis is called a laminectomy and fusion. In this procedure, the spinal canal is widened by removing or trimming the laminae (roof) of the vertebrae. This is done to create more space for the nerves and relieve pressure on the spinal cord.
If a nerve is compressed, over time, spondylolisthesis can cause nerve damage, which may lead to paralysis. In some cases, spondylolisthesis can cause cauda equina syndrome — another spinal condition that is a medical emergency because if it is left untreated there is a high risk of paralysis.
A physical therapy program is one of the more effective ways to treat spondylolisthesis for 2 main reasons: (1) It can help strengthen the muscles that support your spine, and (2) it can teach you how to keep your spine safe and prevent further and future injury.
Soft-tissue therapies like massage can be helpful in reducing overall muscular hypertonicity associated with spondylolisthesis, but it's important to consult with the client's physician about appropriate treatment goals.