What are the common symptoms of Spondylolisthesis?
The most common symptom of spondylolisthesis is lower back pain that worsens over time and gets worse after physical activity. Other symptoms include:
- Pain in the buttock area
- Pain in the lower back when bending forward or standing for long periods of time
- Pain in the upper legs when walking, especially upstairs or on hills
- Weakness on one side of your body or numbness/tingling in your leg
Common Causes of Spondylolisthesis
While injuries are the most common cause of spondylolisthesis, there are other factors that can contribute to the condition. Some of these include:
- Degenerative changes in the spine due to aging
- Having an unusually small spinal canal or a defect in your vertebrae
- Trauma to areas of your spine that are susceptible to injury
- Aging causes bone and cartilage to weaken, making it more difficult for bones to support the weight
- Congenital issues where a person is born with a defect in the spine that makes it more likely to develop spondylolisthesis
Known treatments for Spondylolisthesis
The goal of treatment for spondylolisthesis is to strengthen abdominal and back muscles through physical therapy and exercises. If no other treatment options relieve your pain, surgery may be recommended. IF you need surgery, you must work with an experienced surgeon as this is a complex surgery.
Other treatments include: