Spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis

In-depth information on the various symptoms (back pain and sciatica pain), causes and treatment of spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis

Degenerative spondylolisthesis
Updated July 6, 2007
This condition is more common in older adults (over 65) and the symptoms of spondylolisthesis are similar to lumbar spinal stenosis. Surgical treatment options for spondylolisthesis are available to patients. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Spinal fusion surgery for isthmic spondylolisthesis
June 27, 2007
Spinal fusion for spondylolisthesis is generally quite effective, but because it is a large procedure with a lot of recovery, it usually is not considered until a patient has tried at least six months of non-surgical treatment. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Isthmic spondylolisthesis
June 19, 2007 (original publication September 8, 1999)
The spine condition called isthmic spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebral body slips forward on another because of a small fracture in a piece of bone that connects the two joints. Low back pain and/or leg pain are typical symptoms. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Leg pain and numbness: What might these symptoms mean?
April 18, 2007
Quite often leg pain or foot pain does not mean that there is a problem with the leg, but rather that there is a problem in the low back, causing pain and possibly other symptoms to radiate, or be referred to, the leg or the foot. Read more...
By: Grant Cooper, MD

Exercise for sciatica from isthmic spondylolisthesis
Updated January 3, 2007
Sciatica resulting from isthmic spondylolisthesis is typically treated with a program that is a hybrid of the flexion based exercises and the stabilization program. The goal of this method of treating sciatica from isthmic spondylolisthesis is to teach the lumbar spine to remain stable in a flexed position. Read more...
By: Ron S. Miller, PT

Sciatica symptoms and causes
March 30, 2000 (updated September 22, 2006)
Common conditions that can cause sciatica, or pain along the sciatic nerve include lumbar herniated disc, lumbar spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, piriformis syndrome, isthmic spondylolisthesis, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Read more...
By: Stephen H. Hochschuler, MD

Spondylolysis profile and diagnosis
July 8, 2004
Whenever an athlete (especially a 10 to 15 year child or teen) experiences low back pain with or without a traumatic event or sports injury, spondylolysis must be considered as a potential cause of the pain. Read more...
By: Thomas E. Hyde, DC, DACBSP

Spondylolysis and isthmic spondylolisthesis
April 29, 2004
Spondylolysis is the most common cause of isthmic spondylolisthesis, a condition that is the most common cause of back pain in adolescents (especially in young athletes) and can also cause recurring or chronic low back pain in adults. Read more...
By: Thomas E. Hyde, DC, DACBSP

What causes sciatica?
March 30, 2000 (Updated September 22, 2003)
Common conditions that can cause sciatica, or pain along the sciatic nerve include lumbar herniated disc, lumbar spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, piriformis syndrome, isthmic spondylolisthesis, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Read more...
By: Stephen H. Hochschuler, MD

Potential causes of back pain in kids and teens
July 10, 2002
As kids age and their bodies mature, it becomes more likely that an injury to the spinal discs may occur and cause back pain from spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis. As kids’ sporting events become more competitive and the activities more specialized, certain types of injuries causing back pain from spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis tend to arise. Read more...
By: Julian Huang, MD

Isthmic spondylolisthesis
September 8, 1999 (Updated February 28, 2001)
Spondylolisthesis is a Latin term for "slipped vertebral body". This condition is more common in younger adults (age 30 to 60) and can cause low back pain and/or leg pain. The occurrence of spondylolisthesis often results in no noticeable symptoms, and probably 80% of people never even know they have the problem. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Multi-specialty case review - isthmic spondylolisthesis
October 2000/ongoing discussion
A case of a isthmic spondylolisthesis is reviewed by spine specialists from 3 different fields. The patient’s X-ray and MRI show isthmic spondylolisthesis in the spine. Read the spine specialists’ treatment plans and comments on this case. Read more...
By: John E. Sherman, MD, Ron S. Miller, PT, and Rodney K. Lefler, DC

Spine physician Q & A - Spine-health.com Newsletter
To help you in your efforts to better understand your spinal condition and treatment options, this newsletter briefly outlines some of the physician answers to patient questions about back pain and neck pain. The responses clearly show how complex and personal the experience is for many people with back problems such as spondylolisthesis. Read more...

Please note that these additional patient resources(such asThe Back-to-Back Forum and Newsletters)on Spine-health.com are not peer-reviewed by the Spine-health.com Medical Advisory Board. They are provided as additional resources for patients to learn from the experiences of others and to gain information from our popular newsletters.