Spondylolisthesis
If one of your vertebrae begins to slide in front of the bone below it, the condition that results is called spondylolisthesis. This is most common in your lower back, in what doctors call your lumbosacral area. When this happens, it can really put a squeeze on your spinal cord and nerve roots.
It's important to have any back pain or discomfort diagnosed by your sports and pain doctors as soon as you can. This condition can get serious fast and lead to:
- Weakness or numbness in one or both legs
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
It's possible to not have any symptoms at all when a vertebra slips. Or it could take years before you experience your first symptom. But if you suddenly become incontinent, you need to seek medical help immediately. At that point, it's common to notice pain in your back and buttocks. Your leg muscles may feel tight or weak. And you may even develop a limp.
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Causes of Spondylolysis
The bones of your spine connect at several small joints. Discs keep your bones lined up and also help them move and function as they should. If you experience any problems with one of those small joints in your spine, especially if it causes a bone to move out of place, you may need spondylolisthesis treatment in NYC.
This condition affects children, adolescents and young adults involved in sports — especially sports that require repetitive overuse since they can lead to stress fractures in your vertebrae. Some of the small joint issues that can lead to spondylolisthesis include:
- Congenital birth defects
- Trauma to your joint, resulting from accident or injury
- Stress fracture to your joint due to overuse
- Joint damaged by arthritis or infection
Aging and wear and tear may cause stress fractures that produce spondylolisthesis in older adults. And while stress fractures are frequently to blame for spondylolisthesis, it can show up without them too. When your discs and joints are worn down and begin to slip out of place, it can also result in spondylolisthesis.
Symptoms That Lead to Treatment for Spondylolisthesis
Since you can have spondylolisthesis and go years without your first symptom, it can delay you from seeking medical attention to fix your problem. In fact, you may never have any symptoms at all. However, if you do have symptoms, they can include:
Pain in your back or buttocks
Pain that runs or shoots from your lower back down the length of one or both legs
Weakness or numbness in one or both legs
Pain or difficulty walking
Any pain in your legs, back or buttocks that gets worse when you bend or twist
Rare cases of incontinence
X-rays of your back are one of the most useful tools to diagnose spondylolisthesis. Your physician typically takes a series of x-rays if he suspects you've got spondylolisthesis. These indicate if there are any fractures or cracks in your vertebrae, or if any of your discs have slipped out of place. Any of these are capable of causing your spondylolisthesis.
How to Treat Spondylolisthesis
The first step in spondylolisthesis treatment is to stop any physical activities that may have caused your vertebrae damage. Treatment for spondylolisthesis may include non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin. Always consult your NYC sports medicine team about how to treat spondylolisthesis with NSAIDs.
Physical therapy to build up your core and back muscles is often helpful. But if you're overweight, your Midtown Manhattan doctor may recommend healthy, supervised weight loss. More severe cases may call for surgical spondylolisthesis treatment. This can mean that:
- Your pain is extreme
- Your bones are continuing to move
- There is nerve root or spinal damage
Ready to find relief from spondylolisthesis?
Dr. Melepura's Midtown Manhattan clinic offers same-day appointments for evaluation and treatment.
Surgical Options
Surgical treatment for spondylolisthesis can remove bone and other tissues that are putting pressure on your nerves or spinal cord. This is called decompression. Surgery may also be performed to fuse your bones into position.
In the most severe cases, it may be necessary to perform both procedures during the same surgery to treat your pain. You may need to wear a brace or cast for a while following these procedures. Physical therapy and rehabilitation help to strengthen your muscles and regain your function. This makes movement easier and recovery faster.
Taking the time to consult the leading professionals in the field can save you years of pain and difficulty down the road. You have a team of New York City sports and pain specialists ready and capable of improving your quality of life. Sitting around in pain doesn't have to be what you have to look forward to in life.
Real Stories from our Patients
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD
Double Board-Certified Pain Specialist
Meet Dr. Febin Melepura — Your Spondylolisthesis Specialist in NYC
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD is a double board-certified interventional pain management specialist and the founder of the Sports Pain Institute of New York. He completed his residency and fellowship training at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.
He holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine, and has treated more than 7,500 patients and performed over 5,250 procedures throughout his career. He has been named a Top Pain Management Doctor in New York and one of America's Top Doctors™ by Castle Connolly.
Dr. Melepura's approach to spondylolisthesis is rooted in precision: identify the exact source, treat it with a targeted injection, and get you back to your daily life as quickly as possible.
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What Our Spondylolisthesis Patients Say
"Able to make an appointment to see Dr. Melepura on short notice… attentive to my concerns… Jazmin was also very kind and helpful."
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"Helpful and friendly staff who gladly follows up with you if and when needed. Dr Melepura was very helpful and professional as well as provided me with excellent information and feedback."
"Dr Febin is fantastic! Highly recommend him and his practice the Spin clinic. The doctor is a good listener, kind, attentive and gave me great advice. "
"Dr.Melepura was very efficient and interpersonal, felt like he was understanding the problems I was having and explained the processes to take to rehabilitate. I would recommend."
"I felt listened to and truly understood by Dr. Melepura. Started PT the very next day. They were very friendly and I didn't feel rushed at all. Already recommended them to my friends who have or continue to play through pain."