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How to Treat Spondylolisthesis

Treat Spondylolisthesis

The first step in understanding how to treat spondylolisthesis is to find a clear explanation of the condition. This is a condition in which one vertebra slips forward over the vertebra beneath it, a movement that is sometimes referred to as “anterior displacement.” Although it can occur in either the cervical (neck), thoracic (middle), or lumbar (lower) regions of the spine, it is most common in the lower back.

Diagnosis & Treatment

If your physician or orthopedist suspects that you have a spinal condition like spondylolisthesis, he or she will complete a thorough exam, review your medical history, and ask you about the location, nature, frequency, and severity of your symptoms. Most likely, an MRI or CT scan will be arranged, in order to pinpoint the exact location of the disc that has slipped forward. This medical imagery also can help determine the degree of slippage, which can range on a scale from 1 to 5. Depending on the severity (where 1 represents mild slippage of 25% or less and 5 represents acute slippage of 100%), your doctor will most likely recommend a regimen of traditional therapy, including:

  • Periods of rest, including frequent applications of hot and cold compresses
  • Pain medications, such as acetaminophen or muscle relaxants
  • Epidural steroid injections, in the event that oral medication is ineffective
  • Chiropractic sessions
  • Mild physical therapy

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Surgical Options

While the above treatment options are considered conservative and prudent, they also are temporary and are aimed at pain relief, not elimination of the problem itself. If your spondylolisthesis is severe, your doctor may suggest surgery. It will be important for you to consider all of your options before committing to one type of surgery.

Laser Spine Institute (LSI) offers the latest in minimally invasive, endoscopic procedures for back and neck conditions. Contact LSI today for a free review of your MRI or CT scan and to learn more about how to treat spondylolisthesis and help you rediscover a life without pain.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.

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