Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis

  • Overview
  • Appointments
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment
  • Patient Resources
  • Locations
  • Doctors

    • What is spondylolisthesis?

    Spondylolisthesis is a condition of the spine in which one of the vertebrae slips forward or backward, sometimes pressing on the spinal cord or nerve root. The condition most often occurs in the lower spine, but can also occur in the cervical spine. It can be caused by a congenital defect, an injury or trauma, arthritic changes in the joints of the vertebra, or a bone defect.  

    Appointment Information

    For Musculoskeletal-based back and spine conditions, call:

    Comprehensive Spine Program

    At the Comprehensive Spine Program, a nationally acclaimed team of back and spine care experts collaborates to deliver the most effective treatments, tailored to each patient, whether surgical or non-surgical.

    Learn about the spine program

    What are the symptoms of spondylolisthesis?

    While individuals with mild cases of spondylolisthesis may not experience symptoms, those with a more severe condition might experience:

    • Pain in the lower back or buttock that becomes worse when moving or carrying things
    • Tightness, numbness, or weakness in leg muscles
    • Tenderness in the lower back
    • Radiating pain in the leg that worsens when standing and relieved when sitting

    How is spondylolisthesis diagnosed?

    Our collaborative team begins by conducting a complete medical history and physical exam, followed by advanced testing that might include imaging - such as X-rays, CT scans or an MRI. After your diagnostic tests are completed, our specialists will talk with you about your treatment options.

    How is spondylolisthesis treated?

    Non-surgical treatments

    • Physical therapy to help strengthen core muscles 
    • Stationery bike exercises
    • Pain management, including anti-inflammatory and pain medications, muscle relaxers and steroid injections.
    • Traditional medicine combined with holistic therapies such as yoga, healing touch and acupuncture

    Surgical treatments

    • Laminectomy: A procedure to remove fragments of bone and soft tissue that are pushing on the nerves.
    • Laminectomy and Spinal Fusion: For more severe cases, these two procedures may be combined. A fusion is a procedure that reduces the movement in the damaged spine segment by permanently connecting two or more vertebrae using screws and rods to stabilize the spine. A bone graft is also typically performed using additional bone to fill in gaps between the vertebrae and stimulate the healing process. For lumbar spondylolisthesis, the procedure is typically done from the back. For cervical spondylolisthesis, the procedure is most often performed from the front of the neck.

    Patient Resources

    Locations
    • Back & Pain Center | Burlington Building 325 E Eisenhower Pkwy
      Floor 1
      Ann Arbor, MI 48108-3364       Get Directions
    • Back & Pain Center | Canton Health Center 1051 N Canton Center Rd
      Floor 1
      Canton, MI 48187-5097       Get Directions
    • Back & Pain Center | Dexter Health Center 7300 Dexter Ann Arbor Rd Ste 110
      Floor 1
      Dexter, MI 48130-8598       Get Directions
    • Neurosurgery Clinic | Burlington Building 325 E Eisenhower Pkwy Ste 100
      Floor 2 Reception G
      Ann Arbor, MI 48108-3364       Get Directions
    • Spine Clinic | Brighton Center for Specialty Care 7500 Challis Rd
      Entrance 1, Level 1
      Brighton, MI 48116-9416       Get Directions
    • Spine Clinic | Chelsea Health Center 14700 E Old US Highway 12
      Chelsea, MI 48118-1185       Get Directions
    • Spine Procedure Clinic | Burlington Building 325 E Eisenhower Pkwy Ste 100
      Ann Arbor, MI 48108-3364       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     Ilyas Syed Aleem, MD

    Ilyas Syed Aleem, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Orthopedic Surgery

    Goodarz Micheal Golmirzaie, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Interventional Pain Medicine, Pain Medicine, Anesthesiology

    Rakesh D Patel, MD

    Rakesh D Patel, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery Of The Spine

    Joshua David Piche, MD

    Joshua David Piche, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Orthopedic Surgery

    Mohit Rastogi, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Interventional Pain Medicine, Pain Medicine, Anesthesiology

    Ronald Arthur Wasserman, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Interventional Pain Medicine, Pain Medicine, Anesthesiology

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