It most often occurs in the lower spine. In some cases, this may lead to your spinal cord or nerve roots being squeezed, causing back pain and numbness or weakness in one or both legs. In rare cases, it can lead to a loss of bladder or bowel control.
The most prevalent symptom of spondylolisthesis is lower back pain. Leg and buttock pain or weakness, bladder or bowel problems, tight hamstring feeling, swayback or protruding abdomen are other symptoms of the condition. And many people have no symptoms whatsoever.
If spondylolisthesis is causing severe compression of a nerve, this can cause bowel incontinence.
Repetitive extension and hyperextension, along with rotation, are risk factors for developing and aggravating spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“When you have a herniated disc, the pain is usually constant. With spondylolisthesis, you tend to just have pain when you stand or walk.
Start with daily 5 or 10-minute walks, keeping your spine neutral and your shoulders relaxed. Just remember to pace yourself and stop or slow down if walking aggravates your symptoms.
Severe L4-L5 spondylosis causes intense back pain, weakness in legs, bladder and bowel disorders, erectile dysfunction in males, and female reproductive issues.
Between 5 and 10% of cases of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. A much larger percentage of AS patients have subclinical gut inflammation manifested either by endoscopic findings or by histology.
This syndrome is a medical emergency and typically causes severe pain, weakness, numbness, and/or tingling in the groin, genital region, and/or both legs. There may also be loss of bowel and/or bladder control.
In rare cases, it can lead to a loss of bladder or bowel control. Some people have no symptoms.
Pudendal nerves: There are pudendal nerves on the left and right sides of the body within the pelvis. They affect fecal and urinary control. Pelvic parasympathetic nerves: These nerves begin at the sacral level of the spinal cord, which is the lowest part of the spine above the coccyx.
If your injury is above level T11/T12, then the muscles of your sphincters and pelvic floor may be tight, which leads to constipation. If your injury is level T11/T12 or lower, then these muscles may be loose, which leads to stool incontinence.
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 can cause impingement of the nerves and/or fatigue of the back muscles, and may result in lower back and/or leg pain. Degenerative spondylolisthesis most commonly occurs in the lower back (lumbar spine) and is graded on a numerical scale from 1 to 4, with 1 being the least severe.
Pain from isthmic spondylolisthesis may be relieved by sleeping in a reclining position. This position can be tested by using pillows under the back, neck, and head to support the body as if it were in a reclining chair.
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Forward bending or sitting often relieves the symptoms because it opens up space in the spinal canal. Standing or walking often increases symptoms.
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.
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.
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).