Spondylolysis

Around 40–45% of the population may present with Spondylolysis alongside Spondylolisthesis and slip disc. In some cases there may be no symptoms at all. You may experience:

• Mild to severe pain in the lower back, buttocks, thigh, calf, and foot.
• Mild to severe pain in the neck, upper back, shoulder, hands, and fingers.
• Difficulty or increasing pain with lifting and bending.
• Worsening pain when resting, sitting, walking or standing.
• Back or neck pain that comes and goes.
• Stiffness or increasing pain in the morning.
• Pain radiating down one or both legs.
• Tingling, numbness, burning, imbalance or weakness in the legs and feet.
• Trouble urinating or passing motion.

Some of the contributing factors include:

• Occupational sprain or strain due to bending, twisting, lifting heavy weights, or prolonged sitting or driving.
• Lifestyle issues like poor posture, sedentary lifestyle, weight gain, smoking, or lack of exercise.
• Physical causes like disc degeneration due to ageing, arthritis, tumour, trauma or infection.
• Age factors like osteoporosis (weak bones) or Degenerative Disc Disease.
• Medical conditions like obesity, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, sciatica, pregnancy, or scoliosis.
• Inflammatory conditions like Ankylosing Spondylitis or sacroiliitis.

History and physical examinations are enough to determine the cause in most cases. The doctor will clinically assess you by conducting neurological tests involving sensation, reflexes, range of motion, tenderness, muscle power, and any deformity. Correlation of clinical assessment and diagnostic imaging may be required. Tests include:

• X-ray
• MRI
• CT scan
• EMG/NCV
• DEXA scan
• Blood tests

At Spine Science & Beyond, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression can help manage symptoms and arrest further progression. Benefits include:

• Works on the root cause.
• Treatment with zero side effects.
• Reduces intradiscal pressure and helps the disc return to its normal state, freeing the pressed nerve.
• Improves blood circulation and promotes natural healing.
• Reduces pain and relieves nerve compression.
• Improves disc quality and height.

Spondylolysis cannot be cured with conservative treatment, but symptoms can be effectively managed and further progression arrested with proper care.