Degenerative Spondylolisthesis

Degenerative spondylolisthesis is the result of spinal degeneration in the lower lumbar spine. The most commonly affected vertebrae is L4, although it is possible for other levels to be affected instead, or as well. This condition is relatively common in older patients and does not necessarily cause pain or symptoms to occur.

Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Description

Spondylolisthesis describes a condition in which a vertebrae slips out of alignment with the rest of the spine. This vertebrae will slide forward, towards the front of the body, and can cause some problems in the spinal anatomy. In the degenerative version of spondylolisthesis, the condition is brought on by aging, rather than by trauma or congenital condition.

Causes of Spondylolisthesis by Degeneration

This version of spondylolithesis is most commonly brought on by 2 primary conditions:

* Osteoporosis can weaken spinal bones and cause vertebral fractures. These fractures often cause the spinal bones to shift and slip, and can result in one or more levels of degenerative spondylolisthesis. Once this condition has started, it is very difficult to fix or reverse through conservative treatment. The best way to fight osteoporosis is to prevent it earlier in life.

* Osteoarthritis causes increased bone on bone contact. This wear and tear grinds down the precise fit of the spinal bones, causing the potential for vertebral slippage. This condition causes hyper mobility in the spinal joints and can affect multiple spinal levels. The condition is rarely symptomatic, but can cause severe symptoms in a minority of cases.

Effects of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis

Most cases of spondylolisthesis are non-symptomatic. Some cases can be mildly painful, and a minority can produce serious pain and symptoms. The majority of symptomatic cases are due to trauma, rather than degenerative process.

Symptomatic cases might involve the possibility of spinal stenosis caused by impingement of the spinal canal. Sometimes the vertebrae can shift so far that they actually put significant pressure on the spinal nerves. In this scenario, surgical correction is often the best treatment option. Other cases involve a pinched spinal nerve root leading to sciatic pain.

Recommendation for Degenerative Spondylolisthesis

Remember that the normal process of aging might cause this condition in many elderly patients. It might look scary on an x-ray, but is often a relatively harmless condition. If you stay clear of the nocebo effect of the frightening diagnosis, you will most likely suffer little or no negative effects. Consider spondylolisthesis just part of the road of life, and you will keep walking down that road for many years to come.

Degenerative Spondylolisthesis to Back Pain Home page 9/10/06 Revised 6/2/07