Spondylolisthesis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Spondylolisthesis

Treatment:

Treatment varies depending on the severity of the spondylolisthesis. Most patients require only strengthening and stretching exercises combined with activity modification (avoiding hyperextension of the back and contact sports). Some practitioners also use a rigid brace.

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For cases with severe pain not responding to therapy, if the slip is severe, or there are neurologic changes, the slipping vertebra might be surgically fused. This surgery has a higher incidence of nerve injury than most other spinal fusion surgeries. A brace or body cast may be used after surgery.

Expectations (prognosis):

Conservative therapy for mild spondylolisthesis is successful in about 80% of cases. When necessary, surgery produces satisfactory results in 85 to 90% of people with severe, painful spondylolisthesis.

Complications:

compression and temporary/permanent damage of spinal nerve roots, which may cause sensation changes, weakness, or paralysis of the legs.
chronic back pain

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if your child's back appears to curve excessively, if the child complains of back pain or stiffness, or pain in the thighs and buttocks.