Spondylolisthesis

What are the most common spondylolisthesis symptoms you need to look out for?

Spondylolisthesis symptoms are generally hard to keep track of in its early stages as it does not exhibit specific symptoms and most often, the people who have Spondylolisthesis will know about this condition by getting an x-ray for a different bone-related problem.

However, in the rare cases that Spondylolisthesis symptoms will show, it can manifest itself in various ways such as:

• Pain that can be felt in the back and in your buttock - This is one of the most common Spondylolisthesis symptoms out there and is the one symptom most people feel first. Spondylolisthesis tends to cause this problem, and your back will feel like it is stiffening, and the hamstrings in your buttock will also tighten.
• Change in Posture and Gait - often this Spondylolisthesis symptom goes hand in hand with the previous symptom, as the change in posture and gait will be felt after the stiffening of your back and buttock happens
• Pain that radiates from your lower back down to your legs - In most Spondylolisthesis symptoms, the pain will only be felt in the lower back as this is the origin point, but sometimes, the pain radiates towards one or both of your legs.
• Numbness and Weakness in the Legs – Another Spondylolisthesis symptom related to the leg is a result of one of your vertebra moving forward, and when that happens you will feel a certain numbness or weakness in your leg, in addition to pain.
• Walking will be Difficult - along with the two Spondylolisthesis symptoms mentioned above, you will have difficulty walking and might not be able to or perform or have difficulty performing everyday tasks.
• Worsening of Pain upon Bending or Twisting - when you do tasks that require you to twist your body to one side or require you to bend over, you may notice that the pain will get instantly worse, and will feel like a shooting pain that radiates through your lower back, legs, and buttocks.
• Changes in the Way You Walk – People that are affected with Spondylolisthesis will most definitely develop a change in the way they walk to compensate for the change in posture and the pain they may feel in their lower back. The most common style of walking that develop due to Spondylolisthesis symptoms is waddling.
• Changes in Posture - Just like the previous Spondylolisthesis symptom, your posture may change to a more leaning-forward type of posture.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control - this is a rare symptom of the condition and may happen in the most severe cases.

Medical Procedures used to Diagnose Spondylolisthesis

After feeling the Spondylolisthesis symptoms listed above, see your physician to get an examination to see if you have Spondylolisthesis or any other underlying back problem. The sooner the diagnosis, the better. In some cases of the condition, the Spondylolisthesis symptoms will not be present, and the condition itself is diagnosed via diagnostic procedures of another back-pain related problem.

Imaging Tests

• X-rays - X rays are perhaps the first thing the doctor will require if they suspect you have spine related problems or if you are experiencing Spondylolisthesis symptoms. X-rays can show if any vertebra in your back is out of place, or if it has fractures and cracks that are also a cause for concern. Two types of x-ray can be done to you, and the first one is a lateral x-ray, where you will stand facing the side so the doctor can get a clear view of your spinal cord and if any vertebra within it has slipped out of place. The second one is an oblique x-ray, which is done from an angle. An oblique x-ray is useful for seeing the lamina, and facet joints of your spinal cord.
• CT Scan - just like x-rays, computerized tomography or CT scans can also be helpful in determining if you have Spondylolisthesis or not. CT scans offer a much clearer view than x-ray and are good for cross-sectional views of your spinal column.
• MRI - Just like the CT scan and X-ray, Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI is also an effective imaging tool that provides a clear view of any defects or complications in your spinal cord.
• Myelogram - A myelogram involves having the doctor numb your lower back, or the body part in question, and inject a special dye around your nerves. You will then be subjected to an imaging test such as an x-ray or a CT scan.

How is Spondylolisthesis Treated in Most Cases?

Spondylolisthesis Treatment can involve numerous factors that the doctor must take into consideration, such as the age and health of a person, in other words, their overall surgery risk, as well as the extent or grade of the slip and how severe the symptoms are.

As far as Spondylolisthesis treatment is concerned, doctors strive for the treatment to be conservative. Conservative treatment involves medication, rest, exercise and physical therapy. However, in some cases where the degree of Spondylolisthesis is already severe and the surgery risk of a person is low, a surgical option is recommended.

Here are some of the most common Spondylolisthesis treatments used:

1. Conservative Treatment - this is always the primary recommendation of most doctors when it comes to Spondylolisthesis treatment. This type of Spondylolisthesis treatment involves letting the person rest from all strenuous activities that have caused the condition in the first place, and may cause the condition to exacerbate further. Conservative Spondylolisthesis treatment also involves the use of medications such as:

• NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed by the doctor in conservative Spondylolisthesis treatment as these medications can help control and subside the pain and inflammation felt by the patient. A few examples of NSAIDs are ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen sodium.
• Epidural Steroid Injections: in the case that NSAIDs won’t work in Spondylolisthesis treatment, a stronger medication such as an Epidural Steroid Injection might be prescribed by the doctor. This type of medication is injected directly into the area immediately surrounding the spine, and can effectively reduce swelling and pain.

2. Braces and Supports: this type of Spondylolisthesis treatment can be an accompaniment to the conservative treatment prescribed by your doctor or it can be the treatment all on its own. Braces and supports help retain posture and stabilize your lower back as well as your buttocks and legs. Braces also effectively reduce the pain you are feeling and will allow for pain-free movement and improve your condition.

3. Physical therapy: this is also a Spondylolisthesis treatment that goes hand in hand with the two previous methods or can be an effective treatment and itself as well as an aftercare activity to regain movement and muscles. The physical therapy done as a treatment involves the exercising of the abdominal and back muscles, all while minimizing the strenuous movement of the spine. This treatment, coupled with medication and/or surgery can help achieve significant clinical improvement for the patient.

4. Surgery: if the vertebra in your spinal column continues to persist with its slippage, progressively worsening your condition along with the symptoms you are feeling, then a surgery is the most logical option for you to undertake. Surgical Spondylolisthesis treatment is mostly used for last resort cases, such as when medication and conservative treatment does nothing to lessen the pain and symptoms of the condition. The doctor will take into consideration your overall health and your age to assess your surgical risk before advising you to undergo this treatment.

If you finally decide to move forward with this type of Spondylolisthesis treatment, then there are two types of surgery that the doctor can prescribe you based on your situation:

• Decompressive Laminectomy: this is done by removing part of the vertebra that is pressing on your nerves, causing pain. This is usually not chosen as although removing a part of your vertebra can relieve the pain, it might cause the spinal cord to become unstable.
• Spinal fusion: this is the second surgical procedure and involves a bone being transplanted to a strategic location at the back of your spine where the slippage is located. When the bone heals, it gradually fuses with your spine, improving the stability of your vertebrae and effectively improving the condition. In this process, rods and screws are often used until the transplanted bone heals and fuses with the spine.

Can Spondylolisthesis be Prevented?

Spondylolisthesis is not exactly a preventable condition, as you might not even know that you are at risk of having it or if you might actually have it now. But there are steps you can take to reduce your chances of having Spondylolisthesis in the future:

• Keeping and maintaining a good posture is important to avoid gradual slippage of a vertebra, as well as to avoid any other spine related problems.
• Avoiding sports that put too much stress and pressure on your lower back, and your back in general.
• Constant exercise to keep your muscles and bones fit, especially the muscles in your back and abdomen, which can help to effectively support and stabilize your spine.
• Eating well can help you attain a healthy body size, thus avoiding excess weight which causes undue stress on your lower back.