Spondylolisthesis
Jason C. Eck, DO, MS
Dr. Eck received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Catholic University of America in Biomedical Engineering, followed by a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University. Following this he worked as a research engineer conducting spine biomechanics research. He then attended medical school at University of Health Sciences. He is board eligible in orthopaedic surgery.
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
- What is spondylolisthesis?
- What causes spondylolisthesis?
- What are the risk factors for spondylolisthesis?
- What are the symptoms of spondylolisthesis?
- How is spondylolisthesis diagnosed?
- What is the treatment for spondylolisthesis?
- Can spondylolisthesis be prevented?
- What are the complications of spondylolisthesis?
- What is the outlook for spondylolisthesis?
- Spondylolisthesis At A Glance
- Patient Comments: Spondylolisthesis - Effective Treatments
- Patient Comments: Spondylolisthesis - Symptoms
- Patient Comments: Spondylolisthesis - Causes
- Find a local Rheumatologist in your town
What is spondylolisthesis?
Spondylolisthesis (spon + dee + lo + lis + thee + sis) is a condition of the spine whereby one of the vertebra slips forward or backward compared to the next vertebra. Forward slippage of one vertebra on another is referred to as anterolisthesis, while backward slippage is referred to as retrolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis can lead to a deformity of the spine as well as a narrowing of the spinal canal (central spinal stenosis) or compression of the exiting nerve roots (foraminal stenosis).
What causes spondylolisthesis?
There are five major types of lumbar spondylolisthesis.
- Dysplastic spondylolisthesis: Dysplastic spondylolisthesis is caused by a defect in
the formation of part of the vertebra called the facet that allows it to slip
forward. This is a condition that a patient is born with (congenital).
- Isthmic spondylolisthesis: In Isthmic spondylolisthesis, there is a defect in a portion of the vertebra called the pars
interarticularis. If there is a defect without a slip, the patient has
spondylolysis. Isthmic
spondylolisthesis can be caused by repetitive
trauma and is more common in
athletes exposed to hyperextension motions including gymnasts, and football
linemen.
- Degenerative spondylolisthesis: Degenerative spondylolisthesis occurs due
to arthritic changes in the joints of the
vertebrae due to
cartilage
degeneration. Degenerative spondylolisthesis is more common in older patients.
- Traumatic spondylolisthesis: Traumatic spondylolisthesis is due to
direct trauma or injury to the vertebrae. This can be caused by a
fracture of
the pedicle, lamina or facet joints that allows the front portion of the
vertebra to slip forward with respect to the back portion of the vertebra.
- Pathologic spondylolisthesis: Pathologic spondylolisthesis is caused by a defect in the bone caused by abnormal bone, such as from a tumor.
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