Spondylosthesis is a condition where one bone in your spine (vertebra) slides forward to the bone below. It mostly occurs in your lower spine (lumbosacral) as the majority of your body weight is focused here. Diagnosis is made by x-ray. Which we refer you for if we are suspicious that you may have this condition.
Symptoms may not present immediately after the slippage, where it may even take years for them to appear.
These symptoms include:
• Back or buttock pain
• Pain from lower back down to one or both legs
• Numbness or weakness in one or both legs
• Difficulty walking
• Leg, back, buttock pain that worsens when you bend forward or twist
• Rare, severe cases: Loss of bowel and bladder control
There are 6 different causes of spondylosthesis:
• Congenital (born with) abnormality in the upper sacrum or L5 neural arch
• Chronic fracture of a section of vertebra bone (pars interarticularis), from gymnastics or
constant back bending
• Degenerative- osteoarthritis, bone spurs
• Traumatic- Injuries fracturing vertebra
• Pathologic- generalized or localized bone disease
• Surgical causes
Grading of spondylolesthesis:
• Grade I Help with and Management of Spondylolisthesis 1-25% slip
• Grade II 26-50% slip
• Grade III 51-75% slip
• Grade IV 76-100% slip
Chiropractors can’t fix spondylolesthesis, only surgery can completely fix the problem. However a grade 1 or 2 spondylolesthesis may be managed with chiropractic care and pilates. At Lakeside Chiropractic we may manage spondylolesthesis using specific chiropractic techniques. These techniques include blocking, flexion distraction, soft tissue work, acupuncture and exercises.
If you have any further concerns please contact us as we are happy to advise you.
