Patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis will often develop leg and/or lower back pain when slippage of the vertebrae begins to put pressure on the spinal nerves. The most common symptoms in the legs include a feeling of diffuse weakness associated with prolonged standing or walking.
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.
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.
Spondylolisthesis can lead to increased lordosis (also called swayback), and in later stages may result in kyphosis, or round back, as the upper spine falls off the lower. Symptoms may include: Lower back pain. Muscle tightness (tight hamstring muscle)
Spondylolisthesis is generally not a serious or dangerous condition. Most patients with spondylolisthesis have few or no symptoms. Spondylolisthesis only becomes a concern when patients develop associated symptoms due to nerve compression (radiculopathy), disc degeneration or osteoarthritis.
Technically, there's no cure for spondylolisthesis. Non-surgical treatment methods can't resolve the slippage of the vertebra but can be successful in alleviating patients' symptoms.
It's possible to live with spondylolisthesis for years and not know it, since you may not have symptoms. Degenerative spondylolisthesis (which occurs due to aging and wear and tear on the spine), is more common after age 50 and more common in women than men.
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. Certain forms of exercise are more likely to cause spondylolisthesis flare-ups than others.
Spondylolisthesis is a very common cause of back pain in the United States, affecting approximately 3 million Americans every single year. The spinal condition is chronic, meaning it can last for years or be lifelong, but is typically treatable by a neurosurgeon.
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.
The majority (85% to 90%) of young patients recover in three to six months with proper treatment. Recovery time can be longer and is different for each person. Spondylolisthesis (spon-dee-low-lis-thee-sis), or slipped vertebra, is a condition that involves the forward slippage of one vertebra over the one under it.
Treatments for spondylolisthesis
avoiding activities that make symptoms worse, such as bending, lifting, athletics and gymnastics. taking anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen or stronger painkillers on prescription. steroid injections in your back to relieve pain, numbness and tingling in your leg.
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.
If you have spondylolisthesis and you're experiencing some symptoms, especially pain, it's advisable to avoid activities and sports that put strain on your spine, says Dr. Anand. This can include strain related to lifting weight, back bends, or high intensity jumping or running.
Generally, spondylolisthesis causes pain in your legs when you walk or stand for long period of time. If you have been diagnosed, there's no need to panic. Spondylolisthesis can certainly be an annoyance—sometimes a major one—but it is not dangerous.
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.
Among patients with degenerative lumbar spondylosis with coexisting facetogenic pain who underwent medial branch nerve radiofrequency ablation, a mean spondylolisthesis advancement of 1.3% per year is comparable to the estimated maximum rate of natural progression without any intervention.
In severe cases, people with spondylolisthesis may require surgery. Invasive procedures aren't always needed, though. Gentle exercises can help alleviate pain and improve your quality of life.
Get More Calcium and Vitamin D
Calcium and vitamin D contribute to strong, healthy bones and help prevent bones from weakening and causing spondylolisthesis. Weak, brittle bones can fracture more easily, but getting enough calcium and vitamin D can reduce your risk for bone breaks and fractures.
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). In some cases, both procedures may be done together.
If compression of the spine pinches or irritates nerves, that can also cause pain. For example, a pinched nerve can produce pain in the back, sciatica, which is pain that radiates down to the foot. Spondylolisthesis can also cause numbness in the foot and weakness in the muscles supplied by the affected nerve.
Degenerative spondylolisthesis can be progressive - meaning the damage will continue to get worse as time goes on. In addition, degenerative spondylolisthesis can cause stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal and spinal cord compression.
TREATMENT. Treatment for spondylolisthesis is similar to treatments for other causes of mechanical and compressive back pain. It is usually non-operative, and surgery is only necessary in a small percentage of patients.