Spondylolisthesis (Lytic)
A spondylolisthesis happens when one of the spine’s vertebrae (bones) slips forward over the vertebra beneath it. Spondylolisthesis occurs most often in the lumbar spine (low back).
Non-Surgical Treatments
Most patients will not need any surgical treatment as long as their spondylolisthesis is stable - i.e. it isn’t slipping forward any more. Your doctor will most likely want to monitor your spondylolisthesis at regular intervals.
Non-surgical treatments include:
- Rest till comfort
- Physical therapy
- Low impact exercise - swimming or water walking
- Low back activity restrictions - no strenuous sports (weight lifting, gymnastics, or football), heavy lifting, excessive bending, twisting, or stooping
- Medications to control inflammation, muscle spasm, and/or pain
- A brace to help reduce muscle spasm and pain
Spondylolisthesis - When Surgery is needed
If non-surgical treatments do not improve your condition, your doctor may recommend surgery. Claudication ( leg pain with inability to walk due to increasing heaviness , numbness , tingling on continuity of walking warranting a break !!) is the key symptom warranting intervention.
The goals of surgery are to stabilize the spine and remove pressure on spinal nerves (called decompression). Spinal fusion is the most common surgical procedure. During spinal fusion, two or more vertebrae (bones) are fused together. Spinal fusion uses implants such as screws, rods, cages, and bone graft to help the spine fuse. Advanced technology allows some spondylolisthesis procedures to be performed using minimally invasive techniques.
