What is Lumbar Slip?
The spine is the bone structure that contains the spinal cord and is formed by the bones called vertebrae overlapping each other in a certain systematic arrangement. The vertebrae are connected to each other with the help of discs in the front and joints in the back.
Spondylolisthesis, also known as spondylolisthesis in medical terms, occurs when the upper one of two adjacent vertebrae is displaced forward or backward relative to the lower vertebra. For this reason, it causes compression of the spinal cord passing through the spine and causes symptoms such as pain, numbness and burning in both legs.
Sliding most often occurs from the bottom of the lumbar vertebrae, that is, most frequently from the L5-S1 level and sometimes from the L4-5 level. .
What are the types of lumbar slippage?
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Dysplastic Spondylolisthesis
It occurs due to congenital or developmental deterioration of the structure of the joints between the waist bones.
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Isthmic Spondylolisthesis
It is repetitive and puts serious strain on the waist. It is caused by unilateral or bilateral fractures of the joints in the lumbar vertebrae after some maneuvers. It is usually observed in young athletes.
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Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
It occurs after the spine and surrounding connective tissues wear out with age. It is most commonly observed at the L4-5 level and is usually accompanied by stenosis in the spine.
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Traumatic Spondylolisthesis
It is a serious condition in the spine. Observed due to fractures occurring after a trauma
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Pathological Spondylolisthesis
Occurring due to regional or widely observed bone diseases
What are the symptoms of lumbar slip?
The most common symptom is pain. In most patients, the pain relieves with rest and increases with daily activity. Leg pain is the second most common. It is observed in degenerative spondylolisthesis accompanied by nerve root compression and canal stenosis. Low back pain and muscle spasm are observed in mild and moderate slips seen in children. If there is more than 50% slippage, it may manifest itself as waist and leg pain, poor posture and duck-like gait. . In very advanced findings, although rare, it manifests itself as dysfunction in urination and defecation.
How to Diagnose Lumbar Slipping?
Physical examination of the patient is essential. Direct radiographs, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance are helpful tests in making the diagnosis.
How is Lumbar Slipping Treated?
If the patient's complaint is not severe and the degree of slippage is mild. If there are no nerve compression symptoms during the examination, non-surgical treatments such as rest, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy applications, strengthening the waist and abdominal muscles, and corset support should be tried.
If the pain persists, the joints between the spinal bones or the nerve root should be tried. Steroid injections may be applied.
It may be recommended for patients who do not benefit from surgical treatment, physical therapy and exercise programs and whose symptoms do not regress.
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