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Lumbar Spondylolisthesis

Lumbar Spondylolisthesis – Exploring the Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Lumbar Spondylolisthesis is spinal condition that involves the forward or backward slippage of a vertebra onto the bone directly underneath it. While this can occur anywhere along the spine, the lower back, or lumbar spine, is the most vulnerable area. In some individuals, this causes no symptoms, whereas others may experience back and leg pain. If left untreated, spondylolisthesis has the potential to result in spinal deformities, a narrowing of the spinal canal or compression of the nerve roots. Fortunately, a combination of therapeutic and surgical techniques can be used effectively to provide relief.

The Causes of Lumbar Spondylolisthesis

Lumbar spondylolisthesis may occur due to a variety of reasons and can affect people of all ages. Some of the most common causes of this condition include:

  • Overextending the spine when playing sports such as gymnastics, football, and weightlifting
  • Rapid growth during adolescence
  • General wear-and-tear associated with age
  • Genetics may alter your bone density, making them thinner than normal

The Symptoms of Lumbar Spondylolisthesis

Most individuals can live with lumbar spondylolisthesis for many years without showing symptoms. While symptoms can vary depending on the severity of your condition, some of the most common signs are:

  • Lower back pain that gets worse with exercise or movement
  • Decreased range of motion in the lower back
  • Muscle spasms at the back of the thighs
  • Pain, tingling, numbness or weakness in legs and feet
  • Difficulty standing or walking for long periods of time
  • Pain when bending over

Treatment Options for Lumbar Spondylolisthesis

Depending on the severity of your pain and the condition of your vertebra, treatments will vary. Nonsurgical methods can be effective at relieving pain and encouraging the vertebra to shift back into place. Here are some common treatment options for lumbar spondylolisthesis that may be beneficial for you:

  • Resting from sports and other strenuous activities
  • Over-the-counter pain medication or other medication prescribed by your doctor
  • Daily physical therapy exercises to help strengthen the abdomen and back
  • Bracing to minimize movement and allow fractures to heal
  • Steroid injections to decrease pain and swelling
  • Laminectomy, or decompression surgery to remove the pressure from nerves
  • Spinal fusion to fuse painful vertebrae together so they become one solid bone

When considering surgery for your lumbar spondylolisthesis, contact a trusted and experienced neurosurgeon. Dr. Adam Lewis has extensive training in multiple spinal treatment techniques, even developing specialized equipment for various procedures, and has taught technical surgical courses to other surgeons across the United States. The operations can be performed under moderate sedation rather than general anesthesia. You’re in good hands at Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic.

Contact us today to learn more about lumbar spondylolisthesis or to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists. We’ll find a solution that works for you. Call us at (601) 366-1011.