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Spondylolistheis

  • Isthmic spondylolisthesisOften found in athletes, especially football players and gymnasts.
  • Fusion or decompression?Usually an isthmic spondylolisthesis will require fusion, but degenerative ones may be treated with decompression alone.
  • Xrays help diagnoseFlexion and extension views will determine if its stable or unstable, and guide treatment

Isthmic spondylolisthesis is usually caused in childhood from unrecognized fractures that never healed. Any level can have these pars fractures, but L5/S1 is the most common. Degenerative spondylolisthesis tends to affect older patients and is due to arthritis causing the facet joint to fail. Any level can be affected, but most commonly it affects the L4/5 level.

Symptoms of spondylolisthesis may include:

Low Back Pain
Pain radiating down the legs
Heavy legs when walking
List symptoms here

Treating Spondylolisthesis

Saville Spine Institute may recommend any or all of the following treatments to patients.

depending on your symptoms, adn the type of spondylolisthesis you have. :

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
Minimally Invasive Lumbar fusion
Decompression
Epidurals

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to some of the most common questions patients ask about osteoporotic fractures.

  • Do I have to have a fusion?

    It depends on the stability, and type of spondylolisthesis you have

  • Will I be able to resume sport after a fusion?

    Usually yes

  • Why has it gotten worse over time?

    Usually once the spine starts to slip, it progresses with time due to gravity. As the slip worsens the nerve compression gets worse

  • My back has hurt since I was young, is this why?

    Yes, often patients with long term back pain have an isthmic spondylolisthesis that was caused by childhood sports