Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis may be causing any number of problems for you: back pain, numbness, difficulty with walking and standing. Whatever the symptom, The Bonati Spine Institute has a solution.



The Bonati Procedures are effective, spondylolisthesis treatments that are proven to be better and easier than old fashioned “open” and fusion spine surgeries.

Learn more about spondylolisthesis:
Causes of Spondylolisthesis
Diagnosis of Spondylolisthesis
Symptoms of Spondylolisthesis
Treatments for Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis describes a condition of forward slippage of one vertebra in the spine over another. This condition in adults is most commonly caused by degeneration of the discs and ligaments that bind and support the spine.

With age, the intervertebral discs lose water content and ultimately height. As the vertebrae on either side of the disc come closer to each other through the loss of disc height, the upper vertebra slides forward over the sub-adjacent vertebra producing spondylolisthesis.

In some patients, spondylolisthesis may have developed in childhood. In degenerative adult spondylolisthesis, the most common forward slippage is of the L4 vertebra over L5 vertebra.

Most of the symptoms from spondylolisthesis are aggravated by standing, walking and other activities.

Imaging tests such as MRI and CT scans are very helpful in demonstrating the degree of spine slippage in spondylolisthesis.

Spondylolisthesis and Facet Joints

Spondylolisthesis can also be associated with deterioration of the facet joints that connect vertebrae.

As the facet joints become arthritic due to this deterioration, they enlarge in an attempt to maintain stability of the spine. As the two vertebral segments adjoining the spinal canal slide past each other, the spinal canal narrows in size.

The combination of spinal canal narrowing and enlargement of the facet joints produces the characteristic nerve compression problems found in degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Spondylolisthesis can cause compressive (or neurogenic) symptoms.

The forward slip of a vertebra also makes the spinal canal smaller, leaving less room for the nerve roots running between the vertebrae.

Compressive symptoms can arise because the nerve roots at the segment involved are pinched. If there are compressive symptoms, there may be pain down the leg to the foot, numbness in the foot, and possibly weakness when trying to raise the foot.

Surgery may be necessary if medication, physical therapy, and exercise fail to keep spondylolisthesis pain at a tolerable level.

Surgical treatment for spondylolisthesis must address the nerve compression symptoms (if they are present). This usually means that the nerves that exit the spine must be freed of all pressure and irritation—which is usually done by performing a laminectomy.

What is a Laminotomy?

The lamina is a small, thin bony spinal structure located at the back of the spine that covers access to the spinal canal and spinal cord. A laminotomy removes a portion of the lamina, the “roof” over the vertebra.

Removing a portion of the lamina gives the surgeon access to the spinal canal so that the surgeon can create more room for the nerves of the spine and thereby reduce the irritation and inflammation on the nerves.

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The Bonati Spine Institute advocates spondylolisthesis patients to be well informed. We encourage you to contact us to request a no-obligation MRI review or discussion with one of our medical professionals. Find out why The Bonati Procedures are considered to be among the world’s best solutions for laser spine surgery.