Spondylolisthesis Treatment: Reliable Spinal Stabilization and a Pain-Free Life

Spondylolisthesis is a serious spinal pathology in which one vertebra “slips” (displaces) forward or backward relative to an adjacent one. This leads to impaired spinal stability, narrowing of the spinal canal, and severe compression of nerve roots. The patient experiences constant debilitating lower back pain that radiates to the legs and gradually loses the ability to walk normally.

The diagnosis of “vertebral displacement” sounds frightening, but modern vertebrology and neurosurgery have effective tools for its treatment. At St. Luke’s Clinic, we successfully treat spondylolisthesis of any severity, restoring strength to the spine and the joy of free movement to you.

How to recognize spondylolisthesis? (Main symptoms)

Most often, the disease affects the lumbar spine (as it bears the greatest load). Vertebral displacement can be suspected by the following signs:

• Chronic lower back pain: it intensifies with physical exertion, bending, back extension, or prolonged standing, and subsides slightly when lying down.
• “Shooting pains” in the legs: pain that descends from the buttock along the posterior or lateral surface of the thigh down to the foot (radiculitis).
• Weakness and numbness in the legs: a sensation of “pins and needles,” loss of sensation in the toes, rapid fatigue during walking (neurogenic claudication).
• Change in posture: with severe displacement, the patient may instinctively bend their knees or lean forward when walking to reduce pain.

Diagnosis: how we determine the extent of the problem

To choose the right treatment, doctors at St. Luke’s Clinic conduct a comprehensive examination. The basis is spinal MRI (to see the condition of the nerves, spinal cord, and intervertebral discs) and X-rays with functional tests (the patient is photographed in a state of maximum flexion and extension of the back to see how much the vertebra “moves” or is unstable).

Treatment methods at St. Luke’s Clinic

The tactics depend on the degree of displacement (from 1 to 4) and the severity of the pain syndrome.

1. Conservative treatment (without surgery)

If the displacement is small (grade 1) and the spine remains relatively stable, we use methods to relieve pain and strengthen the muscular corset:

• Therapeutic medicinal blocks: under ultrasound or X-ray guidance, the doctor injects an anti-inflammatory drug directly into the area of the pinched nerve, which instantly relieves pain and swelling.
• Wearing an orthopedic corset: for temporary relief of the lower back.
• Professional rehabilitation: our physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) doctors develop a special set of exercises. Strong back and abdominal muscles can prevent further vertebral displacement.

2. Surgical treatment (Spinal Stabilization)

If the displacement reaches grade 2 or more, is accompanied by instability, unbearable pain, or if conservative treatment does not yield results for more than 6 weeks, surgery is prescribed. The goal of surgery is to return the vertebra to its place, free the nerves, and “firmly” fix the problematic area.

We use a modern method — Transpedicular fixation:

• Decompression: The surgeon meticulously removes bone growths or a herniated disc under a microscope to completely free the pinched nerve roots. Leg pain disappears!
• Reliable fixation: Special titanium screws are inserted into the displaced vertebrae, which are connected by strong rods. This construction reliably stabilizes the spine in the correct position.
• Biocompatibility: We use only high-quality titanium implants that are not rejected by the body and with which MRI can be performed without problems in the future.

Recovery after surgery: when can I walk?

Modern titanium constructions are so strong that prolonged bed rest is a thing of the past.

• Already the day after the operation (in a special corset), the patient can get up and walk around the ward independently.
• Discharge from the hospital occurs on day 3–5.
• During the first 1.5–2 months, it is necessary to avoid sitting at a right angle, lifting weights (more than 3-5 kg), and sharp twisting of the torso.

Don’t wait until the disease confines you to bed. Sign up for an expert consultation with vertebrologists-neurosurgeons at St. Luke’s Clinic and take a confident step towards a pain-free life!