Month: November 2012

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which a bone (vertebra) in the spine slips out of the proper position onto the bone below it. Forward slippage of one vertebra on another is referred to as anterolisthesis, while backward slippage is referred to as retrolisthesis. Though it can occur at the level of cervical vertebrae, it occurs most often at the level of the lumbar vertebrae. Spondylolisthesis usually occurs between the fifth bone in the lower back (lumbar vertebra) and the first bone in the sacrum (pelvis) area (L5-S1)

Major types of lumbar spondylolisthesis:

  • Congenital spondylolisthsis
  • Traumatic spondylolisthsis
  • Degenerative spondylolisthesis
  • Pathologic spondylolisthesis

What are the symptoms of spondylolisthesis? (more…)