Stress Fractures
Your spine is made of vertebrae—24 different ones in adults, up to 33 in babies and children. These vertebrae give your spine its strength and facilitate movement through their connection to the facet joints. However, with so many bones subject to so much movement, sometimes, things go wrong. When a vertebra slips out of position, it is called spondylolisthesis.
If you suspect you have cervical spondylolisthesis in Chicago, schedule an appointment with the Pain & Spine Institute.
Types of Spondylolisthesis
There are two primary types of spondylolisthesis. The first is simply called spondylolisthesis and refers to when there is a slipped vertebral body due to a variety of causes, some genetic and some degenerative. Isthmic spondylolisthesis is the second type, at it refers to when a vertebral body slips specifically due to a stress fracture in the pars interarticularis.
Of the two, isthmic spondylolisthesis is the more common type. This is because about five percent of the population will experience lumbar vertebral factures in their life, often while they are still children. This then allows the fractured vertebrae to slide forward and encroach on the sacral vertebral body.
Symptoms of Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is the top cause of back pain in teens and young adults. However, most who have the condition don’t actually have any symptoms. Those who do might notice the following signs of lumbar spondylolisthesis in Chicago:
Spondylolisthesis Diagnosis
The first step in diagnosing spondylolisthesis is a physical examination. If your doctor determines there are signs of spondylolisthesis, they will then order some type of imaging study to see if there is an issue with the vertebrae. In most cases, this will be either an X-ray, an MRI scan, or both. If the diagnostic imagine determines that the condition is present, spondylolisthesis treatment in Chicago will begin.
Treatment for Lumbar Spondylosis in Chicago
In most cases, treatment is only needed when there is actual pain or limitation to the range of motion. When this is the case, we opt for non-surgical treatments first. These include:
In rare cases of isthmic spondylolisthesis in Chicago, surgery will be needed. However, we take all possible measures to avoid this.
If you suspect you have a spondylolisthesis in Chicago, do not wait for your symptoms to worsen. Schedule your appointment with the pain specialists in Chicago today.
