Spondylolisthesis is a spinal condition that affects the lower vertebrae (spinal bones). This disease causes one of the lower vertebrae to slip forward onto the bone directly beneath it. It can be a painful condition causing low back pain or pain to radiate down the legs because of the nerve being pinched between the slipped vertebrae.
The condition mostly affects people over 50 years old. It is more common in women than in men.
Symptoms may vary from mild to severe and may include any of the following:
Spondylolisthesis is often due to a birth defect in the lower spine or occurs after a sudden injury (acute trauma).
In adults, the most common cause is abnormal wear on the cartilage and bones, such as arthritis. Bone disease and fractures can also cause spondylolisthesis.
Your doctor will examine you and feel your spine. You will be asked to raise your leg straight out in front of you which may be uncomfortable or painful.
X-ray of the spine can show if a bone in the spine is out of place or broken. CT scan or MRI scan of the spine can show if there is any narrowing of the spinal canal.
Learn more about spondylolisthesis by watching an educational video.
Our interventional pain physician, Dr. Anil K. Sharma, is a leading practitioner of state-of-the-art techniques specializing in the use of minimally-invasive techniques to treat spinal disorders. He has performed over 70,000 spinal procedures in his 27+ years of clinical practice.
Our specialists treat all major painful conditions from refractory headaches to spine and extremity pain. Learn more about just some of the conditions we treat and treatments we offer by viewing educational videos provided by our office.
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