Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis—a slipped vertebra—can affect people of any age, but it most commonly occurs in adults over 50 and is more prevalent in women than men. Regardless of your age, the sooner you seek help at Somerset Spine & Nerve, the sooner you can find relief from your symptoms. Alexis Tracy, DO, specializes in advanced treatments that relieve pain—even when conservative care hasn’t been effective. Call the Medford, Oregon, office today or book online to discover the cause of your back pain and receive expert nonsurgical care.

What is spondylolisthesis?

Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra slips out of its normal position. Although it can happen anywhere along the spine, it most commonly affects the lower back.

A traumatic injury may cause a vertebra to shift, but the two most common causes of spondylolisthesis are:

Degenerative Changes

As you age, degenerative changes in your spine can lead to conditions like spinal arthritis, herniated discs, and degenerative disc disease. These changes result in spinal instability, which can cause a vertebra to slip out of place.

Spondylolysis

Spondylolysis refers to a crack in one or more of the spine’s facet joints, often due to degenerative changes or stress fractures. This crack weakens the joint, allowing the vertebra to shift out of alignment.

What are the symptoms of spondylolisthesis?

Symptoms arise from both the slipped vertebra and any pinched nerves. If spondylolisthesis occurs in your lower (lumbar) spine, you may experience:

• Lower back pain

• Limited spinal mobility (stiffness)

• Muscle spasms in the back or thighs

• Difficulty walking or standing for long periods

• Pain when twisting or bending

• Pain, tingling, or numbness in your legs

If the slipped vertebra is in your neck (cervical spine), symptoms may include neck pain, restricted neck movement, and pain or tingling that radiates down the arms.

How is spondylolisthesis treated?

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

If the condition results from trauma or a vertebral fracture, or if the vertebra is severely misaligned, surgical repairmay be necessary.

In most cases, treatment begins with conservative care, including:

• Limiting strenuous activities

• Taking anti-inflammatory medications

• Starting physical therapy to strengthen core muscles and improve spinal stability

Dr. Tracy may also recommend a back brace to support your spine while a crack or stress fracture heals. In some cases, she may administer a corticosteroid injection to reduce inflammation and pain.

If your pain is moderate to severe or does not improve with conservative treatment, Dr. Tracy may recommend interventional therapies, such as:

• Spinal injections (e.g., epidural steroid injections) to reduce inflammation

• Nerve blocks to disrupt pain signals

• Radiofrequency ablation to heat and disable pain-transmitting nerves

These minimally invasive procedures target the source of pain, helping restore function and comfort without surgery.

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