Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which a bone (vertebra) in the spine moves forward out of the proper position onto the bone below it.
Low back pain - spondylolisthesis; LBP - spondylolisthesis; Lumbar pain - spondylolisthesis; Degenerative spine - spondylolisthesis
In children, spondylolisthesis usually occurs between the fifth bone in the lower back (lumbar vertebra) and the first bone in the sacrum (pelvis) area. It is often due to a birth defect in that area of the spine or sudden injury (acute trauma).
In adults, the most common cause is abnormal wear on the cartilage and bones, such as arthritis. The condition mostly affects people over 50 years old. It is more common in women than in men.
Bone disease and fractures can also cause spondylolisthesis. Certain sports activities, such as gymnastics, weightlifting, and football, greatly stress the bones in the lower back. They also require that the athlete constantly overstretch (hyperextend) the spine. This can lead to a stress fracture on one or both sides of the vertebra. A stress fracture can cause a spinal bone to become weak and shift out of place.
Symptoms of spondylolisthesis may vary from mild to severe. A person with spondylolisthesis may have no symptoms. Children may not show symptoms until they're 18 years old.
The condition can lead to increased and abnormal lordosis (also called swayback). In later stages, it may result in kyphosis (roundback) as the upper spine falls off the lower spine.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
Treatment depends on how severely the vertebra has shifted out of place. Most people get better with exercises that stretch and strengthen lower back muscles.
If the shift is not severe, you can play most sports if there is no pain. Most of the time, you can slowly resume activities.
You may be asked to avoid contact sports or to change activities to protect your back from being overextended.
You will have follow-up x-rays to make sure the problem is not getting worse.
Your provider may also recommend:
Surgery may be needed to fuse the shifted vertebrae if you have:
There is a chance of nerve injury with such surgery. However, the results can be very successful.
Praveen Mummaneni is a Neurosurgery expert in Berkeley, California. Mummaneni has been practicing medicine for over 28 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Spondylolisthesis. He is also highly rated in 21 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spondylolisthesis, Kyphosis, Spinal Stenosis, Spinal Fusion, and Laminectomy. He is licensed to treat patients in California.
Steven Glassman is an Orthopedics expert in Louisville, Kentucky. Glassman has been practicing medicine for over 38 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Spondylolisthesis. He is also highly rated in 13 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spondylolisthesis, Scoliosis, Spinal Stenosis, Spinal Fusion, and Laminectomy. He is licensed to treat patients in Kentucky. Glassman is currently accepting new patients.
John Knightly is a Neurosurgery expert in Morristown, New Jersey. Knightly has been practicing medicine for over 38 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Spondylolisthesis. He is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spondylolisthesis, Spinal Stenosis, Herniated Disk, Laminectomy, and Spinal Fusion. He is licensed to treat patients in New Jersey.
Exercises and changes in activity are helpful for most people with mild spondylolisthesis.
If too much movement occurs, the bones may begin to press on nerves. Surgery may be necessary to correct the condition.
Other complications may include:
Contact your provider if:
Summary: In many countries a majority of patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis are operated on with decompression plus instrumented fusion, but the scientific evidence for adding fusion is controversial. To evaluate whether micro-decompression alone is as good as (non-inferior to) decompression plus instrumented fusion, a study with data from the Norwegian Registry for Spine Surgery was conducted, n...
Summary: Instrumented lumbar fusion surgery is often accompanied by interbody fusion using an autologous bone graft that is supposed to expand and remodel to achieve a rigid and lasting bony construction between two vertebrae. However, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the process of biological remodelling of intercorporal bone grafts. Also, a valid and reliable assessment of fusion status remains c...
Published Date: September 20, 2022
Published By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Porter AST. Spondylolisthesis. In: Giangarra CE, Manske RC, eds. Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation: A Team Approach. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 80.
Williams KD. Spondylolisthesis. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 40.