General Information About Spondylolisthesis
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
If we think of the spine like stacked blocks; it is the loss of stabilization of one of these bone blocks, causing it to slip forward (or backward) like a step over the vertebra beneath it.
In the elderly, it occurs due to the wear and tear (calcification) of the spinal joints (Degenerative spondylolisthesis). In young people and athletes (gymnastics, weightlifting), it develops secondary to stress fractures (spondylolysis) in the posterior roots of the vertebra.
A deep and persistent pain in the lower back that increases with movement and subsides with rest. Because the sliding bone compresses the sciatic nerves running through it like a scissor, it causes numbness, tension, and walking difficulty in both legs (signs of spinal stenosis).
No. Slips are divided into 4 grades. The majority of 1st and 2nd degree (mild) slips are kept under control without surgery through the use of a brace and intensive physical therapy that strengthens the core muscles of the lower back.
The physician takes X-rays of the patient's lower back while they bend forward and backward (Flexion/Extension Radiography). Thanks to this dynamic X-ray, how much the bone slips during movement is observed. An MRI is requested to check for nerve compression.
If the slip is continuously progressing or if strength/muscle loss has started in the legs, surgery is mandatory. Neurosurgery specialists pull the slipped bone back into place, relieve the compressed nerves, and permanently freeze that area using titanium screws (rods) to stabilize the spine (Spinal Fusion).
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
