About Spondylolisthesis

First described in 1782 by a Belgian obstetrician, spondylolisthesis occurs when one a vertebrae in the spine slips forward and overlaps the other vertebrae around it. Usually caused by stress fractures in the spine, spondylolisthesis is most commonly found in the lumbar region of the spine and may lead to individual having a swaybacked appearance in left untreated.

Types

• Spondylolisthesis can be a congenital birth defect, develop during childhood, or appear after age 50. Degenerative spondylolisthesis, which usually appears after age 50, often causes a narrowing of the spinal canal and often must be treated with surgery.

Causes

• Spondylolisthesis is caused by a degeneration of the vertebrae in the spine. This condition can be caused by a birth defect as mentioned above, overuse, or natural degeneration due to age. In the case of a birth defect, vertebral bones may be thin and more prone to slippage during rapid growth. Overuse of the vertebrae to the point of degeneration is most often found in young athletes, like gymnasts, football players and weight lifters.

Symptoms

• In many people, spondylolisthesis shows no symptoms at all unless the condition worsens. Reported symptoms involve pain in the low back, thighs, and/or legs; muscle spasms; weakness; and tightening of the hamstring muscles. In severe cases, spondylolisthesis may cause muscle spasms that can result in changes to an individual's gait and posture.

Treatment

• Treatment for spondylolisthesis usually begins with nonsurgical options. The patient is told to limit use and to cease any activity that may have caused the slippage. In some cases, a back brace or physical therapy may be prescribed. Ibuprofen, or another anti-inflammatory, is often given to assist with any pain. X-rays are taken periodically to check the changing position of the vertebrae. In most cases, the vertebrae will return to normal as it heals and swelling goes down. However, if this does not occur, surgery to manually fix the vertebrae may be recommended.

If Left Untreated

• If left untreated, in severe cases, spondylolisthesis can cause a change in gait, a swayback appearance with a protruding abdomen, or a shortened torso. If the vertebrae slips too far, the vertebrae may begin to press on the nerves, and surgery may be required.