Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis, a slipped vertebra, can affect anyone at every age, but it usually appears in adults over 50 and more often in women than men. No matter your age, the sooner you seek help at Somerset Spine & Nerve, the faster you’ll get relief from your symptoms. Alexis Tracy, DO, specializes in advanced treatments that ease pain even if conservative medical care can’t produce results. Call the Medford, Oregon, office today or book online to learn the cause of your back pain and receive nonsurgical care.

What is spondylolisthesis?

Spondylolisthesis occurs when you have a slipped vertebra. The misaligned vertebra may happen anywhere in the spine but most often affects the lower back.

A traumatic injury may force the bone out of place, but the two most common causes of spondylolisthesis are:

Degenerative changes

As you age, degenerative changes in your spine lead to conditions such as spinal arthritis, herniated discs, and degenerative disc disease. These changes cause spinal instability, allowing the vertebra to slip out of place.

Spondylolysis

Spondylolysis refers to a crack in one (or more) of the spine’s facet joints, usually due to degenerative changes and stress fractures. The crack weakens the joint, allowing the vertebra to slip out of alignment.

What are the symptoms of spondylolisthesis?

Symptoms come from the slipped vertebra and the nerves it pinches. If you have spondylolisthesis in your lower (lumbar) back, you may experience any of the following symptoms:

• Lower back pain
• Limited spine movement (stiff back)
• Muscle spasms in your back and thighs
• Difficulty walking
• Difficulty standing for a long time
• Pain when twisting or bending
• Pain, tingling, or numbness in your legs

A slipped vertebra in your neck causes neck pain, limited neck movement, and pain and tingling down your arms.

How is spondylolisthesis treated?

Treatment for spondylolisthesis depends on the extent of the slippage, the severity of your symptoms, and the underlying cause. 

If a traumatic injury or vertebral fracture causes the slippage, you may need surgery. A severely misaligned vertebra may also require surgical repair.

In most cases, your treatment begins with limiting strenuous activities, taking anti-inflammatory medicines, and starting physical therapy. Physical therapy strengthens the core muscles supporting your spine and improves spinal movement.

Dr. Tracy may also recommend a back brace to support your spine while a crack or stress fracture heals. She can also ease your pain with a corticosteroid injection.

If you have moderate to severe pain or your pain doesn’t improve with conservative therapy, Dr. Tracy discusses interventional treatments, such as spinal injections or radiofrequency ablation.

Interventional treatments like epidural steroid injections ease pain by improving inflammation. Other interventional techniques, such as nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation, target the nerves carrying pain messages. Blocking the nerve prevents the brain from perceiving the pain.

If you have ongoing lower back pain, it’s time to seek help at Somerset Spine & Nerve. Call the office or book a spine consultation online today.