Category: Spine | Author: Stefano Sinicropi | Date: February 25, 2026
Diagnosing Spinal Retrolisthesis
If you’re dealing with any of the symptoms of spinal retrolisthesis, it’s important to head in for a consultation or set up an appointment with a spine specialist. They’ll talk with you about your symptoms, perform a physical exam and see how your body responds to gentle movements. From there, they may also recommend advanced imaging in the form of an X-ray or MRI to determine the position and extent of the displacement.
Treatment Options for Spinal Retrolisthesis
If retrolisthesis is the diagnosis, your doctor will walk you through a standard treatment protocol. In most instances where symptoms are not severely crippling, they’ll recommend conservative care to see how the body responds before trying more invasive methods. Those non-operative techniques include options like physical therapy to strengthen supportive muscle groups, gentle stretching techniques to expand comfortable range of motion, and some treatments to assist with day-to-day discomfort, like over-the-counter pain medications or muscle relaxers. They’ll also recommend that you pursue low-impact exercise regularly and avoid extended seated periods, which can place excessive static strain on the affected vertebra. Back braces or similar support devices may be recommended to provide additional stability while the body is working to heal.
In the event that conservative care doesn’t provide relief, a surgical correction may be necessary. Surgery may involve a spinal fusion to stabilize the shifted vertebral section or to decompress the affected nerves in the area. You surgeon can walk you through your specific options should it come to this point, but most patients can make enough progress that a surgical correction is not necessary.
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