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Referral Forms:  Spine   |   Pain Management

Spondylolisthesis

What is Spondylolisthesis?

Spondylolisthesis is where a vertebra in the spine slips out of its proper position onto the bone below it. This occurs most often at the base of the spine. This condition can result in back pain, numbness, or tender muscles. Therapeutic and surgical methods can be used to help treat this condition.

Spondylolisthesis

Causes

In adults, the most common cause is abnormal wear on the cartilage and bones, such as arthritis. Spondylolysis, a fracture in a vertebra that causes slippage over a bone below it, is also often a reason for spondylolisthesis to occur.

Overuse

Both spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are more likely to occur in young people who participate in sports that require frequent overstretching (hyperextension) of the lumbar spine—such as gymnastics, football, and weight lifting. Over time, this type of overuse can weaken the pars interarticularis, leading to fracture and/or slippage of a vertebra.

Genetics

Doctors believe that some people may be born with vertebral bone that is thinner than normal—and this may make them more vulnerable to fractures.

Symptoms

In many cases, patients with spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis do not have any obvious symptoms. The conditions may not even be discovered until an x-ray is taken for an unrelated injury or condition.

When symptoms do occur, the most common symptom is lower back pain. This pain may:

  • Feel similar to a muscle strain
  • Radiate to the buttocks and back of the thighs
  • Worsen with activity and improve with rest

In patients with spondylolisthesis, muscle spasms may lead to additional signs and symptoms, including:

  • Back stiffness
  • Tight hamstrings (the muscles in the back of the thigh)
  • Difficulty standing and walking

Spondylolisthesis patients who have severe or high-grade slips may have tingling, numbness, or weakness in one or both legs. These symptoms result from pressure on the spinal nerve root as it exits the spinal canal near the fracture.

Treatments

  • Minimally invasive fusions and decompressions
  • XLIF (extreme lateral lumbar interbody fusion)
  • Endoscopic Spine Surgery
  • Robotic Spine Surgery (ExcelsiusGPS)
  • Laminectomy
  • Laminotomy
  • Foraminotomy
  • Anterior cervical fusion with cage
  • Anterior cervical fusion with cages and plate
  • Posterior cervical fusion
  • Anterior lumbar interbody fusion
  • Extreme lateral lumbar interbody fusions (XLIF)
  • Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)
  • Pedicle screw fixation
  • Interspinous process fusion (ILIF)

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What Patients Say About NeoSpine.

I’ve been with NeoSpine for over 2 years. I have receive the absolute best care possible. Their staff, administrative as well as healthcare are knowledgeable, supportive, empathetic and understanding. As a retired Registered Nurse I’m able to understand their practice requirements and they adhere to them and, at the same time make me feel that my needs are important. Best care ever. Thank you to all staff.

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Puyallup, WA

I highly recommend Neospine for back or neck surgery as I have had both procedures done there. I am now free of pain and able to do things I was able to do prior to needing the operations. I am so impressed with their staff and could never begin to thank them enough!

Malissa E.

Puyallup, WA

The entire staff at Neospine were tremendous .I was fortunate to be under the care of Dr. Nwosu. He was fantastic, professional, friendly and highly skilled at interpreting and discussing options. My specific surgery was fantastic start to finish. A huge thank you to Dr. Nwosu and all staff at Neospine for taking part in my path to wellness.

Brady H.

Puyallup, WA

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