Spondylolisthesis (vertebral slippage) is a painful condition affecting the spine. When one vertebra slips out of place and moves forward or backward over the one below it, this is what happens. This can cause nerve pressure and pain, weakness, and numbness in the legs or arms.
Spondylolisthesis can be caused by a variety of factors, including degenerative changes, fractures, and congenital anomalies. Symptoms differ depending on the severity of the slippage and the nerves involved.
What causes spondylolisthesis?
Spondylolisthesis can be caused by aging changes in the spine, trauma or injury to the spine, genetic conditions like birth defects or abnormalities, or repetitive stress on the spine from activities like weightlifting or gymnastics.
Loss of elasticity in the intervertebral discs and weakening of the ligaments loosen the spine’s structure, making it possible for a vertebra to slip. Those over 50 to 60 years old are most likely to get it, and women are more likely to get it than men.
A fracture can happen in this part of the spine, especially in sports that involve a lot of bending backward and twisting. Some of these sports are gymnastics, jumping on a trampoline, and throwing a javelin.
Some people are born with spondylolisthesis, but most don’t have any symptoms until much later in life.
Spondylolisthesis can also be caused by health problems like osteoporosis, which weakens bones, or tumors. If you think you have spondylolisthesis, you should talk to a doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment can keep the spine from getting worse and improve your overall quality of life.
What symptoms does spondylolisthesis cause?
Spondylolisthesis can lead to a number of different symptoms, such as lower back pain, back stiffness, muscle spasms, and weak muscles. In more serious cases, it can also make the legs feel numb or tingly and make it hard to walk. Over time, these symptoms can get worse and have a big effect on a person’s quality of life.
If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor right away. A quick diagnosis and treatment can help keep your spine from getting worse and relieve your symptoms. With the right care and management, people with spondylolisthesis can live a full and active life.
A gap in the spine (spondylolysis) usually doesn’t cause any symptoms on its own. Even a very bad case of spondylolisthesis may not cause any pain. When pain happens, it usually gets worse when you do something and gets better when you rest. When lying down or sitting, the symptoms often get better. Also, pain can spread to the legs (radicular pain) or there can be problems with the nerves (sensory disturbances, paralysis). This is because higher-grade gliding processes can cause the exiting nerve root of the affected segment to get smaller. A segment is made up of two nearby vertebral bodies and the disc between them.
The gliding vertebra at the level of the lowest lumbar vertebra can cause a weakness of the big toe/foot drop or foot drop, which can lead to increased pelvic tilting backwards and a reduced ability to stretch the knees. This can lead to a shortening of the affected musculature (ischiocrural musculature) and result in hip and lumbar extensor stiffness. In adults, complaints can be caused by the intervertebral disc or the musculoskeletal system. If symptoms occur primarily when sitting and bending forward, this is more likely to indicate degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc, while if symptoms are found more when standing and leaning backwards, this speaks for a change and problem in the facet joints. Other diseases of the facet joints (e.g. facet joint arthrosis) can also trigger similar symptoms.
How is spondylolisthesis diagnosed?
Spondylolisthesis can be found with an exam and imaging tests like X-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans. During the physical exam, the doctor will check to see if the affected area is painful, if the muscles are weak, or if there are any signs of nerve damage.
They may also ask the patient to do certain movements or stretches so they can see how much they can move and how much pain they are in. Imaging tests can help confirm a diagnosis and figure out how bad the slippage is. Depending on how bad the condition is, there are different ways to treat it. In severe cases, physical therapy, medication, or surgery may be needed. If you think you might have spondylolisthesis, it’s important to talk to a doctor about it. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent more problems.
How is a slipped vertebra treated?
How is a slipped vertebra treated?
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