Spondylolisthesis can be defined as a condition that results in sliding off one of the back bones (vertebra) forward over the bone under it. The condition mainly occurs in the lower spine (lumbosacral). In certain cases, the condition may squeeze spinal cord or nerve roots resulting in back pain and numbness or weakness in one or both legs.
In some rare cases, spondylolisthesis will result in loss of control over bladder or bowels. Under such conditions, it is crucial to get in touch with a doctor without delay. Patients may not experience any symptoms when vertebra slips out of place. But years later, they may feel some discomfort or pain in the low back or buttock.
The spinal bones may come together at various smaller joints that keep the bones lined up and allowing them to move. Spondylolisthesis is usually caused by an issue with one or more of these small joints, allowing a bone to move out of line.
Here are some of the common problems in small back joints that leads to Spondylolisthesis:
Spondylolisthesis may affect both children and teens involved in sports. There are some sports that tend to overuse backbones such as weight lifting, gymnastics, etc. These causing stress fractures in vertebrae leading to spondylolisthesis.
Older adults may develop spondylolisthesis. This is due to wear and tear of back leading to stressful fractures. It may also occur when there are no stress fractures, but the disc and joints get worn down and slip out of their original place.
The major symptoms of spondylolisthesis may include the following listed below:
Unfortunately, sometimes spondylolisthesis may show no symptoms at all.
Your doctor will look at X-rays of your back if he or she suspects you have spondylolisthesis. X-rays will show if any of the vertebrae in your back have fractures or cracks and have slipped out of place. You could also have a CT scan or an MRI to pinpoint the damage and help guide treatment.
No Activities - Treatment for spondylolisthesis starts with patient stopping any or all physical activities that the specialist may suspect have caused damage to the vertebrae.
Drugs - Pain relief is brought by prescribing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to patients.
Physical Therapy – Most doctors will recommend physical therapy so as to build up stomach and back muscles. This facilitates core strengthening activity. Weight loss is recommended in overweight (obese) individuals.
Surgery – It is recommended when patients complain of extreme pain. Under cases, where bones don't stop moving, or damage to nerve root or spinal cord is detected, doctors suggest surgery. Surgery is usually done so as to remove bone or other tissues to remove pressure from the spinal cord or nerves (decompression).
Sometimes, surgery may be done so as to fuse the bones in position.
Rehabilitation Therapy – This is given to patients post surgery in order to make muscles stronger and facilitate movement.
Spondylolisthesis is usually followed by persistent pain. Patients may experience reduced mobility and inactivity. Remaining inactive for a long time leads to weight gain, bone density loss, and loss of muscle strength, and reduced flexibility in other parts of the body.
Spondylolisthesis is not completely preventable. However, there are certain steps you can take in order to reduce risk:
In some rare cases, spondylolisthesis will result in loss of control over bladder or bowels. Under such conditions, it is crucial to get in touch with a doctor without delay. Patients may not experience any symptoms when vertebra slips out of place. But years later, they may feel some discomfort or pain in the low back or buttock.
Causes
The spinal bones may come together at various smaller joints that keep the bones lined up and allowing them to move. Spondylolisthesis is usually caused by an issue with one or more of these small joints, allowing a bone to move out of line.
Here are some of the common problems in small back joints that leads to Spondylolisthesis:
- Any congenital (since birth) defective joint.
- Any joint damaged in an accident or other kind of trauma.
- A vertebra with a stress fracture caused due to joint overuse.
- A joint damaged due to an infection or arthritis.
Spondylolisthesis may affect both children and teens involved in sports. There are some sports that tend to overuse backbones such as weight lifting, gymnastics, etc. These causing stress fractures in vertebrae leading to spondylolisthesis.
Older adults may develop spondylolisthesis. This is due to wear and tear of back leading to stressful fractures. It may also occur when there are no stress fractures, but the disc and joints get worn down and slip out of their original place.
Symptoms
The major symptoms of spondylolisthesis may include the following listed below:
- Back pain and discomfort
- Buttock pain
- Pain running from the lower back down one / both legs
- Numbness in one / both legs
- Difficulty walking
- Pain in leg, back, or buttock which which gets worse as and when you bend over or twist
- Weakness in one or both legs
- Loss of bladder control (rare case)
- Loss of bowel control (rare case)
Unfortunately, sometimes spondylolisthesis may show no symptoms at all.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will look at X-rays of your back if he or she suspects you have spondylolisthesis. X-rays will show if any of the vertebrae in your back have fractures or cracks and have slipped out of place. You could also have a CT scan or an MRI to pinpoint the damage and help guide treatment.
Treatment Options
No Activities - Treatment for spondylolisthesis starts with patient stopping any or all physical activities that the specialist may suspect have caused damage to the vertebrae.
Drugs - Pain relief is brought by prescribing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to patients.
Physical Therapy – Most doctors will recommend physical therapy so as to build up stomach and back muscles. This facilitates core strengthening activity. Weight loss is recommended in overweight (obese) individuals.
Surgery – It is recommended when patients complain of extreme pain. Under cases, where bones don't stop moving, or damage to nerve root or spinal cord is detected, doctors suggest surgery. Surgery is usually done so as to remove bone or other tissues to remove pressure from the spinal cord or nerves (decompression).
Sometimes, surgery may be done so as to fuse the bones in position.
Rehabilitation Therapy – This is given to patients post surgery in order to make muscles stronger and facilitate movement.
Complications
Spondylolisthesis is usually followed by persistent pain. Patients may experience reduced mobility and inactivity. Remaining inactive for a long time leads to weight gain, bone density loss, and loss of muscle strength, and reduced flexibility in other parts of the body.
Is Prevention Possible?
Spondylolisthesis is not completely preventable. However, there are certain steps you can take in order to reduce risk:
- Maintain back and abdominal muscle strength. This will help you provide ample support to the back.
- Staying active is important. However, you must choose activities and sports that do not risk your lower back. Some of the best options are swimming and biking.
- Maintaining a healthy body weight is important. Excess weight tends to put more stress on your lower back making it vulnerable to slips.
- Always consume a well-balanced diet. This will provide your bones ample nourishment and strength.
