Joint and Spine

Spondylolisthesis

Our spine and joint specialists diagnose and treat spondylolisthesis so that you can return to an active lifestyle.

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Overview

Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra slips forward or backward onto the bone below it. It is most common in the lower back, but spondylolisthesis can occur anywhere along the spine.

Retrolisthesis is when a vertebra slips backward due to severe arthritis. Anterolisthesis is a forward slip due to a congenital condition or injury.

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Diagnosing Spondylolisthesis

If you have a back injury or suspect spondylolisthesis, your doctor can diagnose the cause of your discomfort.

Signs & Symptoms

Common symptoms of spondylolisthesis include:

Leg weakness
Lower back pain
Stiffness
Tight hamstrings
Tingling, numbness or pain in the buttocks, thighs or legs

Diagnosis

Your doctor can diagnose spondylolisthesis using one or more of the following tests:

Computed tomography (CT) scan—to produce detailed images of your spinal bones and soft tissues.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—to produce detailed pictures of your vertebrae and soft tissues.
X-rays—of the spine.

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Spondylolisthesis Treatment

Treatment for spondylolisthesis depends on your pain level and whether your nerves are compressed.

Non-surgical Treatments

When possible, we try to treat spondylolisthesis without surgery. Nonsurgical treatment options may include:

Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)—to alleviate pain and swelling.
Bracing devices—to support and stabilize your spine.
Epidural steroid injections—to reduce inflammation and pain.
Facet joint injections—we inject pain medication near the affected nerves.
Pain medication
Physical therapy—to strengthen spinal muscles and improve mobility.
Rest—limited activity allows the spine to heal.
Radiofrequency ablation—we apply heat to nerve tissue to interrupt pain signals.

Surgical Treatments

If symptoms don’t improve with nonsurgical care or nerve damage occurs, we may recommend surgery. Surgical treatments for spondylolisthesis may include:

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF)—to fuse the lumbar spine through an incision in the abdomen.
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF)—to fuse the lumbar spine from the sides.
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)—to fuse the front and back columns of the spine through the back.

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