Question 1

lumbar retrolisthesis vs spondylolisthesis.  what are the mechanics?  how does it happen?  can a fall cause it? does it cause back pain?

Accepted Answer

Typically a : Retrolisthesis is due to degenerative changes leading to this instability pattern.  A spondylolisthesis can occur by the same mechanism or by trauma or genetic in nature.  Since there are abnormal mechanics leading to this, they remain abnormal and can lead to pain in back or even radicular symptoms due to nerve irritation, development of spinal or foramenal stenosis or possibly disc herniation.

Question 2

xray: what are "spondylisthesis", "retrolisthesis", and "anterolisthesis" ? are they all the same thing?

Accepted Answer

Vertebral slippage: Spondylolisthesis refers to the forward (anterolisthesis) or backward (retrolisthesis) movement of one vertebral body relative to the vertebral body immediately below it.  It can be a result of degenerative changes, prior direct trauma, repetitive micro trauma, birth defects and pathologic bone such as from tumor involvement.

Question 3

spondylolisthesis  -- is there a cure?

Accepted Answer

No: It is due to degeneration of disc and joints, occasionally from a type of fracture. Surgery can be used to correct it, but usually exercise, weight control and otc medication can control symptoms without anything more drastic needing to be done.

Question 4

what are the tests for spondylolisthesis?

Accepted Answer

Exam, radiographs: A careful physical may pick it up, but in most cases the deformity is not visible to the eye. Plain radiographs (x-rays) show the slip (spondylolisthesis). If done standing, they can show subtle slips that go away while lying down. Mri and ct are helpful if there are nerve symptoms (like leg pain, numbness, weakness) and if surgery is being considered. Bone scan is sometimes used too.

Question 5

what are the symptoms of spondylolisthesis?

Accepted Answer

None to varied: There are several types of spondylolisthesis  these can have no symptoms to varying types of back &/or leg pain with or without any numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs.  70% of the degenerative or acquired type & 90% of the congenital type are  treated non operatively,  the pain is usually worse with activity & better with rest.

Question 6

can a 13-year-old have spondylolisthesis?

Accepted Answer

Yes: One common type occurs in adolescents.

Question 7

what is  retro-spondylolisthesis of the spine?

Accepted Answer

A backward spinal sl: Your spine vertebra don't line up front back and one has slipped back this is a different condition than the commonly treated anterior slipping they have different treatment algorithms and prognosis general part of segmental degeneration a levels higher than l3.

Question 8

what are the side effect for a spondylolisthesis?

Accepted Answer

See below: There are various possibilities associated with this condition and depends upon the severity of the slip . Some patients are totally asymptomatic . Good luck thank you.

Question 9

what prevents spondylolisthesis from getting worse?

Accepted Answer

These rarely : Progress if the isthmic or congenital type with less than 1% progressing in adulthood.  They can progress during youth .  The acquired or degenerative type can progress but rarely past grade 2.  Weight control, not smoking and regular exercise including core strengthening is important in terms of symptom control.

Question 10

what is the best way to treat cervical spondylolisthesis?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Neck pain is best treated with therapy, exercise (isometric, aerobic), sometimes medication. If there are nerve symptoms (numbness, tingling, weakness, pain) in the arms, other treatment may be needed.

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Doctor answers about:

Retrolisthesis and spondylolisthesis

A member asked:

Lumbar retrolisthesis vs spondylolisthesis. what are the mechanics? how does it happen? can a fall cause it? does it cause back pain?

A member asked:

Xray: what are "spondylisthesis", "retrolisthesis", and "anterolisthesis" ? are they all the same thing?

A member asked:

Spondylolisthesis -- is there a cure?

A member asked:

What are the tests for spondylolisthesis?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of spondylolisthesis?

A member asked:

Can a 13-year-old have spondylolisthesis?

A member asked:

What is retro-spondylolisthesis of the spine?

A member asked:

What are the side effect for a spondylolisthesis?

A member asked:

What prevents spondylolisthesis from getting worse?

A member asked:

What is the best way to treat cervical spondylolisthesis?

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