Spondylolisthesis

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Spondylolisthesis is the slippage or displacement of one vertebra compared to another.

Video Spondylolisthesis

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of anterolisthesis include:

A general stiffening of the back and a tightening of the hamstrings, with a resulting change in both posture and gait.
A leaning-forward or semi-kyphotic posture may be seen, due to compensatory changes.
A "waddle" may be seen in more advanced causes, due to compensatory pelvic rotation due to decreased lumbar spine rotation.
A result of the change in gait is often a noticeable atrophy in the gluteal muscles due to lack of use.
Generalized lower-back pain may also be seen, with intermittent shooting pain from the buttocks to the posterior thigh, and/or lower leg via the sciatic nerve.

Other symptoms may include tingling and numbness. Coughing and sneezing can intensify the pain. An individual may also note a "slipping sensation" when moving into an upright position. Sitting and trying to stand up may be painful and difficult.

Maps Spondylolisthesis

Diagnosis

Classification

Anterolisthesis can be categorized by cause, location and severity.

By causes

Degenerative anterolisthesis (a.k.a. type 3) is a disease of the older adult that develops as a result of facet arthritis and joint remodeling. Joint arthritis, and ligamentum flavum weakness, may result in slippage of a vertebra. Degenerative forms are more likely to occur in women, persons older than fifty, and African Americans.
Traumatic anterolisthesis is rare and results from acute fractures in the neural arch, other than the pars.
Dysplastic anterolisthesis (a.k.a. type 1) results from congenital abnormalities of the upper sacral facets or inferior facets of the fifth lumbar vertebra, and accounts for 14% to 21% of all anterolisthesis.
Isthmic anterolisthesis (a.k.a. type 2) is caused by a defect in the pars interarticularis but it can also be seen with an elongated pars.
Pathologic anterolisthesis (a.k.a. type 5) is caused by either infection or a malignancy.
Post-surgical/iatrogenic anterolisthesis (a.k.a. type 6) is caused by complications after surgery.

By location

Anterolisthesis location includes which vertebrae are involved, and may also specify which parts of the vertebrae are affected.

Isthmic anterolisthesis is where there is a defect in the pars interarticularis. It is the most common form of spondylolisthesis; also called spondylolytic spondylolisthesis, it occurs with a reported prevalence of 5-7 percent in the US population. A slip or fracture of the intravertebral joint is usually acquired between the ages of 6 and 16 years, but remains unnoticed until adulthood. Roughly 90 percent of these isthmic slips are low-grade (less than 50 percent slip) and 10 percent are high-grade (greater than 50 percent slip). It is divided into three subtypes:

- A: pars fatigue fracture
- B: pars elongation due to multiple healed stress effects
- C: pars acute fracture

Severity

Classification by degree of the slippage, as measured as percentage of the width of the vertebral body:

Grade I: 0-25%
Grade II: 25- 50%
Grade III: 50-75%
Grade IV: 75-100%
Grade V: greater than 100%

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Treatment

Conservative

Patients with symptomatic isthmic anterolisthesis are initially offered conservative treatment consisting of activity modification, pharmacological intervention, and a physical therapy consultation.

Physical therapy can evaluate and address postural and compensatory movement abnormalities.
Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) in combination with paracetamol (Tylenol) can be tried initially. If a severe radicular component is present, a short course of oral steroids such as Prednisone or Methylprednisolone can be considered. Epidural steroid injections, either interlaminal or transforaminal, performed under fluoroscopic guidance can help with severe radicular (leg) pain. Lumbosacral orthoses may be of benefit for some patients but should be used on a temporary basis to prevent spinal muscle atrophy and loss of proprioception.

Surgical

Degenerative anterolisthesis with spinal stenosis is one of the most common indications for spine surgery (typically a laminectomy) among older adults. Both minimally invasive and open surgical techniques are used to treat anterolisthesis.

Low Grade Spondylolisthesis - My Spine Center

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Retrolisthesis

A retrolisthesis is a posterior displacement of one vertebral body with respect to the subjacent vertebra to a degree less than a luxation (dislocation). Retrolistheses are most easily diagnosed on lateral x-ray views of the spine. Views, where care has been taken to expose for a true lateral view without any rotation, offer the best diagnostic quality.

Retrolistheses are found most prominently in the cervical spine and lumbar region but can also be seen in the thoracic area.

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History

Spondylolisthesis was first described in 1782 by Belgian obstetrician Herbinaux. He reported a bony prominence anterior to the sacrum that obstructed the vagina of a small number of patients. The term "spondylolisthesis" was coined in 1854 from the Greek ?????????, "spondylos" = "vertebra" and ??????? "olisthos" = "slipperiness," "a slip."

Spondylolisthesis: Know the Causes|Symptoms|Treatment|Returning to ...

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Terminology

Spondylolisthesis is often defined in the literature as displacement in any direction. Yet, medical dictionaries usually define spondylolisthesis specifically as the forward or anterior displacement of a vertebra over the vertebra inferior to it (or the sacrum).

Forward or anterior displacement can specifically be called anterolisthesis. Anterolisthesis commonly involves the fifth lumbar vertebra.

Backward displacement is called retrolisthesis. Lateral displacement is called lateral listhesis or laterolisthesis.

A hangman's fracture is a specific type of spondylolisthesis where the second cervical vertebra (C2) is displaced anteriorly relative to the C3 vertebra due to fractures of the C2 vertebra's pedicles.