Atlas Pain Relief Centre

Spondylolisthesis Tamworth or Spondylolisthesis Lichfield?

Tamworth Osteopaths and Tamworth Physiotherapists at the Atlas Pain Relief Centre in Tamworth Staffordshire can arrange for imaging to identify if you have a spondylolisthesis and suggest the appropriate treatment.

The word spondylolisthesis derives from two parts – spondylo which means spine, and listhesis which means slippage. So, a spondylolisthesis is a forward slip of one vertebra relative to the one above or below. The most common location for Spondylolisthesis is the base of your spine in the lumbar area.
Spondylolisthesis can be described according to its degree of severity. One commonly used description grades spondylolisthesis, with grade 1 being least slippage, and grade 5 being most slippage.

Males tend to have twice as much chance of having a spondylolisthesis than females, even so it would only represent about 5% of the population.

It becomes apparent more often in people who are involved with very physical activities such as weightlifting, gymnastics, or football. Although some children under the age of five may be pre-disposed towards having a spondylolisthesis, or may indeed already have an undetected spondylolisthesis.

It is rare that such young children are diagnosed with spondylolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis becomes more common among 7-10 year olds. The increased physical activities of adolescence and adulthood, along with the wear- and-tear of daily life, result in spondylolisthesis being most common among adolescents and adults.

Spondylolisthesis may exist at birth, or may even develop during childhood, but generally it is not noticed until later in childhood or even in adult life.

With all of the daily stresses that are put on a spine, such as carrying heavy items and physical sports, the spine may degenerate early. There is often a birth defect element to the spondylolisthesis causing the connection between the front and back of the vertebrae to become detached and seperate when the low back is under stress. The bridging section of the vertebrae is called the “Pars” and is often only partially ossified from birth which can lead it to break in later life if put under heavy load.

Another cause of this fracture of the “Pars” could be trauma during a road traffic accident or fall. Heavy contact sports such as rugby could result in such damage to the lumbar spine.

Many people with a spondylolisthesis will have no symptoms, and will only become aware of the problem when it is revealed on an x-ray for a different problem. However, there are several symptoms that often accompany spondylolisthesis:

• Feeling of a clunk or movement in the low back when forward bending
• low back pain, especially after exercise
• Increased lordosis
• Pain and/or weakness or pins and needles in one or both thighs or legs
• Reduced ability to control bowel and bladder functions
• Symptoms of sciatica

Most people can live life normally with spondylolisthesis, however they may need to provide support via a lumbar support belt or in severe cases opt for spinal surgery.