In spondylolisthesis, one of the bones in your spine — called a vertebra — slips forward and out of place. This may occur anywhere along the spine, but is most common in the lower back (lumbar spine). In some people, this causes no symptoms at all. Others may have back and leg pain that ranges from mild to severe.
pain in your lower back, often worse when standing or walking and relieved when sitting or bending forward. pain spreading to your bottom or thighs. tight hamstrings (the muscles in the back of your thighs) pain, numbness or tingling spreading from your lower back down 1 leg (sciatica)
Why is Spondylolisthesis So Painful? Spondylolisthesis becomes painful if the displaced vertebra compresses spinal nerves. When spinal structures press on nearby nerves, it can lead to lower back pain, as well as weakness, numbness, and tingling in the extremities.
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.
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.
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)
If you have spondylolisthesis, your symptoms may range from very mild to extremely severe. In some cases, you may have no symptoms at all, while in others the pain may be debilitating.
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.
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.
Spondylolysis doesn't always have symptoms. When it does, the only symptom is usually back pain. The pain often gets worse with activity and sport, and is more notable when bending backward. Generally, the pain doesn't interfere with everyday activities.
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.
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.
There are five grades of spondylolisthesis in the Myerding classification. Grade I is less than 25 percent slippage, grade II is 26–50% slippage, grade III is 51–75% slippage, grade IV is 76–100% slippage, and grade V is over 100% slippage and is referred to as spondyloptosis.
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.
Often, pain from spondylolisthesis can be treated with weight loss, pain medications (e.g., ibuprofen, oral steroids), heat or ice, or physical therapy. If those methods are not successful, your physician may talk to you about surgery.
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).
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.
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.
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.
While the pain associated with a spondylolisthesis is usually worse when the patient is on their feet, many patients have a hard time sleeping at night because the nerve root pain keeps them awake.
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.
In rare cases, it can lead to a loss of bladder or bowel control. Some people have no symptoms. Other may experience: Back or buttock pain.