Living with back pain is an extremely frustrating situation. Especially for those with a condition like spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, which can mess up all of your daily activities. Even the most essential things, like taking a walk can become too hard to manage.
Finding the right treatment option for any spinal condition can be an overwhelming task. There’s so much to learn and try, many don’t even know where to start.
But we’re here to help! Check out this guide for everything you need to know about Spondylolisthesis from your spine experts!
Symptoms of Spondylolisthesis
Most people have some back pain from time to time. It’s a normal part of getting older and usually resolves itself within a couple of days. But there are some types of back pain that are more serious and won’t get better on their own.
The first sign that you have something more going on is that the pain doesn’t let up. That pain may also travel to other areas of the body, like hips or legs. This discomfort won’t easily resolve with typical remedies.
When you have Spondylolisthesis, you’ll experience more stiffness with the pain. It won’t be easy to walk or bend over because of this. You may even have some numbness in your lower limbs.
Getting an Official Diagnosis
Before you can start to get real relief from your back pain, you need an official diagnosis. This helps your provider know exactly what treatment you need.
Spondylolisthesis is when you have vertebrae slip out of place and rest on a lower one. That puts a lot of pressure on the nerves, which is where the pain comes from.
In order to see that that’s really what’s going on, your provider will give you a check-up. And then they’ll have you get an x-ray or CT scan to confirm. This helps them know exactly where the spine needs to be treated as well.
Levels of Spondylolisthesis
Getting an official diagnosis will also help see which type of Spondylolisthesis you’re dealing with.
There are generally two different types; degenerative and isthmic. A degenerative case happens when the parts of the spine are weak and can’t hold the vertebrae in place. An isthmic case occurs when there has been a fracture in a specific place.
The treatment plan will vary depending on which type and how severe your case is. So it’s essential to get all the information you can.
Profile of a Typical Spondylolisthesis Patient
While this kind of injury can happen to anyone, there are a couple of groups who are more likely than others.
Athletes, like football players and gymnasts, are likely to get this kind of injury because of their sport. And, of course, the elderly with weak backs often have all types of back injuries.
If you fit into these groups and are experiencing this kind of pain, you may be able to get a diagnosis faster.
Treatment Option: Exercises
The first thing you can do when you have this kind of spinal condition is to start rehabbing through exercise. As you make your back muscles stronger, they’ll be better able to get rid of the pain. It’s essential to make sure you stick with the exercises prescribed by your provider.
The last thing you want is to hurt your back worse trying to get better.
Treatment Option: Non-Invasive Interventions
Chances are physical therapy alone won’t be enough to heal your injury. You’ll likely need more treatments to get the vertebrae back into place.
Sometimes a steroid shot can be given to lower inflammation and pressure on the nerve. Other times, bracing the back can keep you from moving into positions that can cause more damage. If your case of spondylolisthesis isn’t high-grade, these can be great to help you get back on your feet fast.
Treatment Option: Surgical Intervention
For the more severe cases, surgery will be needed to help get the spine back in the right position. This is the best way to make sure your injury heals correctly. And to get rid of all the pain.
During these surgeries, the surgeon will use decompression or fusion techniques to reduce the pressure on the nerves. Decompression surgery is much less invasive than a fusion, so many patients want this option when possible. But both can get the patient relief from all the pain and discomfort.
Common Treatment Outcomes
Being diagnosed with spondylolisthesis can make your future feel daunting. The good news is, there are treatment options that can help you get back to normal. The key is working with the right doctor to find the right plan for your individual injury.
People who have surgery often see the best results. It’s a great way to ensure your spine gets back into the correct position. But it’s important to keep realistic expectations and know it’s going to take some time to get back to normal.
Getting Started Finding Relief
When you injure your back, it’s important to start treating as soon as you can. Once you realize that your home remedies aren’t working, you want to get into see your doctor as soon as possible.
The quicker you can get in to be examined, the less chance you have of making the injury worse.
If the injury feels severe enough, you may want to go straight to a spine specialist if you can. More expert care can get you relief much faster.
Treating Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spin in NYC
Working with a spinal expert is the best way to treat your Spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine. They’ll help you come up with a plan to find the most relief from your pain.
It can feel like too much to try to get help while living with this kind of pain. But finding a great doctor can make all the difference.
Our team at New York City Spine has been helping patients will all different kinds of back issues for years. Our training and education allow us to give the best care with amazing results. Schedule a consultation to get started finding relief!
