If you were recently diagnosed with spondylolisthesis, there’s a decent chance that you asked your physician to repeat him- or herself. Spondy-lo-lis-what? While it may have a silly-sounding name, the condition is no joke. This article will explore many of the most commonly asked questions about spondylolisthesis in a very general sense. Keep in mind that you’ll need to consult with your physician for information about your specific case of spondylolisthesis and your unique spinal health.

What is Spondylolisthesis?

Simply stated, spondylolisthesis involves the slippage of one vertebra over the vertebra beneath it. The condition can vary in terms of the degree to which the vertebra has slipped. When diagnosing spondylolisthesis, a physician will assign a grade that indicates the extent to which the vertebra has slipped. The condition is graded as follows:

– Grade 1 – 0 to 25%

– Grade 2 – 25-50%

– Grade 3 – 50-75%

– Grade 4 – 75-100%

What Causes Spondylolisthesis?

More often than not, spondylolisthesis is caused by nothing more nefarious than the natural aging process. As we grow older, the anatomical components of the spine begin to break down from the constant wear and tear that they’ve endured for several decades. For instance, the intervertebral discs can lose elasticity and water content, the facet joints (the joints that connect adjacent, articulating vertebrae) can become arthritic, and the ligaments can calcify. All of these degenerative changes can contribute to spinal instability and can eventually cause spondylolisthesis.

What are the Symptoms of Spondylolisthesis?

High-grade spondylolisthesis can cause severe pain and even paralysis. Thankfully, high-grade spondylolisthesis is fairly rare. Low-grade spondylolisthesis, on the other hand, can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness that radiate along the length of the affected neural structure. For instance, spondylolisthesis in the lumbar spine can cause discomfort in the lower back, hips, buttocks, thighs, legs, or feet.

How is Spondylolisthesis treated?

High-grade spondylolisthesis is incredibly complex and can require extensive surgery. For this reason, we’ll only be discussing the treatments for low-grade spondylolisthesis. Treatment most commonly begins conservatively with non-surgical techniques. Pain medication, anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications are all commonly used to reduce a patient’s pain and discomfort. Some patients choose to complement their doctor-recommended conservative treatments with alternative therapies. Popular options include acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation, restorative yoga, and even hypnosis.

Does Low-Grade Spondylolisthesis Ever Require Surgery?

In the event that conservative treatments have proven ineffective after several weeks or months, a patient may be advised to undergo an operation. Surgeries for spondylolisthesis typically focus on decompressing the affected neural structure and can involve the fusion of one vertebral segment to another. These operations — called open spine surgeries — can require lengthy recovery periods and arduous rehabilitations. Some patients may be candidates for minimally invasive procedures as alternatives to open back surgeries. Patients who undergo minimally invasive procedures can generally return home the day of the procedure and many are able to resume their daily activities within weeks. Before consenting to any type of surgery for spondylolisthesis, patients should receive a second or third opinion to ensure that an operation truly is necessary.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for spondylolisthesis and several other spinal conditions.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for spondylolisthesis. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/spondylolisthesis/

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for spondylolisthesis and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Spondylolisthesis