Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a spinal disorder in which one vertebra slides forward over the vertebra below.

Symptoms:

Some cases do not exhibit symptoms however is diagnosed along with other problem. Severe cases often lead to spinal stenosis, nerve compression, pain and neurological injury.

The symptoms of spondylolisthesis include but not limited to:

• Lower back pain
• Sciatica
• Leg weakness due to nerve root pinching
• Muscle contractions
• Stiffness of hamstring muscles (muscles in the back of thigh)
• Asymmetric abnormality of gait

Diagnosis

• Medical history: Your doctor will ask you questions regarding your symptoms, their severity and duration; and the kind of treatment undergone for the relief of these problems.
• General physical examination: Your physician will examine you to evaluate pain, gait problems, any loss of reflexes, muscle weakness, loss of sensation or other signs of neurological impairment.
• Radiological investigations include lumbar spine x-ray to rule out other diseases. 3-Foot standing Xrays, EOS scan, CT scan or MRI may be ordered to obtain the bone and soft tissue structures in greater detail.

Treatment

The appropriate treatment of these conditions depends on several aspects such as the degree of slip, pain, and neurological symptoms. Not everyone that suffers from spondylolisthesis require surgery. Surgery is recommended for patients who suffered from a significant reduction in quality of life due to the severity and frequency of symptoms.