Spondylolisthesis, Anterolisthesis, Retrolisthesis - Causes and Treatments

The condition of having a vertebra in the spine slip forward or backwards is called Spondylolisthesis. Diagnosed through imaging tests, men and women in Los Angeles who are diagnosed with spondylolisthesis may first notice something is wrong when symptoms such as lumbar (low) back pain, leg pain, tightness in your hamstrings, or numbness/tingling sensations in your legs arise.

Spondylolisthesis typically affects the lumbar spine, but it can also affect the thoracic (middle) spine, or the cervical (upper neck) vertebra. Forward slippage of the vertebra is known as anterolisthesis. When a vertebra slips backwards, the condition is called retrolisthesis.

What Causes Spondylolisthesis?

Lumbar spondylolisthesis has five main causes. A defect in the facet of the vertebra - which is congenital - results in dysplastic spondylolisthesis. Aging, and the onset of arthritis can cause degenerative spondylolisthesis. A spinal injury or trauma which results in a fracture of a vertebra, when then causes it to slip, is known as traumatic spondylolisthesis. The fourth main cause of spondylolisthesis for men and women in Los Angeles is caused by a defect in the bone, often from a tumor. The fifth cause of spondylolisthesis results from a vertebra defect within the pars interarticularis. This is called pathologic spondylolisthesis and it is brought about by repetitive trauma. As such, it frequently affects athletes.

How Is Spondylolisthesis Treated?

Top Los Angeles spine surgeon Dr. K. Rad Payman creates customized treatment plans for each individual in Los Angeles diagnosed with spondylolisthesis. That's because the condition won't be identical in any two people. However, spondylolisthesis is broken down (graded) into categories based upon the percentage of the slip. A Grade I slip, means the vertebra has a slip of up to 25%. Grade II indicates a 26-50% slip. Grade III represents a slip of between 51%-75%. Grade IV is a slip up to 100% Grade V is also called spondyloptosis andindicates that the vertebra has slipped completely off the next vertebra.

Since spondylolisthesis is graded, treatment will be prescribed based upon the degree of slippage. For example, in mild cases, pain may be reduced through conservative treatments including rest, special exercises, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. Other men and women with spondylolisthesis may benefit from epidural injections, a combination of ice/heat, or a hyperextension brace. In other cases, surgery to remove the pressure known as decompression surgery may be indicated. In decompression surgery a fusion may also be necessary.

Men and women suffering from spondylolisthesis in Los Angeles should know that many people respond very well to nonsurgical treatment. Dr. K. Rad Payman will always begin your treatment with the least invasive methods, prior to recommending spine surgery.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment with top Los Angeles spine surgeon Dr. K. Rad Payman.
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