They are related but not the same.
Spondylolisthesis is a displacement of a vertebra in which the bone slides out of its proper position onto the bone below it. Most often, this displacement occurs following a break or fracture. Surgery may be necessary to correct the condition if too much movement occurs and the bones begin to press on nerves.
(Center) Spondylolysis occurs when there is a fracture of the pars interarticularis. (Right) Spondylolisthesis occurs when the vertebra shifts forward due to instability from the pars fracture.
Lumbar spondylolisthesis is an independent risk factor for vertebral compression fractures in patients with osteoporosis.
Spondylolysis is a spinal defect or fracture of a bone structure called the pars interarticularis, which connects the facet joints of the spine. The condition is sometimes also called by the shortened names, “pars defect” or "pars fracture."
Spondylolisthesis Complications
This is a serious condition in which nerve roots in part of the lower back called the cauda equina get compressed. It can cause you to lose feeling in your legs. It also can affect the bladder. This is a medical emergency.
Spondylolisthesis is not the same as a slipped disc. This is when the tissue between the bones in your spine pushes out.
There should be restriction of heavy lifting; excessive bending, twisting, or stooping; and avoidance of any work or recreational activities that cause stress to the lumbar spine. Your physician will outline a rehabilitation program to return you to your activities as soon as possible.
What Makes Spondylolisthesis Worse? When you're living with spondylolisthesis, it's important to avoid movements which make the condition worse. Movements which may aggravate spondylolisthesis include: Repeated bending, extending, or twisting motions.
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.
Grade I spondylolisthesis is 1 to 25% slippage, grade II is up to 50% slippage, grade III is up to 75% slippage, and grade IV is 76-100% slippage. If there is more than 100% slippage, it is known as spondyloptosis or grade V spondylolisthesis.
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.
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.
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.
As a low-impact form of exercise, walking is an excellent way for patients to retain muscle strength and joint mobility without straining the lumbar spine. Spine specialists often recommend that spondylolisthesis patients start with short daily walks. Make sure to maintain a neutral, aligned spine as you walk.
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.
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.
You may need surgery if you have high-grade spondylolisthesis, the pain is severe or you've tried nonsurgical treatments without success. The goals of spondylolisthesis surgery are to: Relieve pain from the irritated nerve. Stabilize the spine where the vertebra has slipped.
Spondylolisthesis is confirmed by visualization on MRI. Spondylolysis may be difficult to appreciate, and plain radiographs and/or CT scans may be complementary in this regard.
Surgeons almost always perform spinal fusion for spondylolisthesis. Spinal fusion stabilizes the spine by permanently joining two vertebrae, eliminating movement between them. Typically, bone grafts are placed between vertebrae to help them fuse together. In time, new bone grows over the graft.
Spondylolisthesis is the slipping forward of the vertebral bone. The term "listhesis" means to slip forward (Fig. 3). It occurs when the weakened pars interarticularis separates and allows the vertebra to move forward out of position causing pinched nerves and pain.
Specifically, it is a separation of the joint between two vertebrae that is typically caused by a stress fracture of the bone. Spondylolysis affects 3 to 6 percent of the population and is most common in adolescents and young adults from the ages of 16 to 26.