The
skeletal anatomy involved in spondylolisthesis is
complex but, in brief, it works like this: Each
vertebra in the spine has a thick anterior body
(called the centrum). A vertebral (or neural) arch
on the surface of the centrum encloses a "vertebral
foramen," which the spinal cord passes through.
On each side of the neural arch on each vertebra, a
pair of "superior articulating processes"
projects up, and pair of "inferior articulating
processes" projects down, supplying support and
flexibility.
Spondylolysis is the
degeneration or deficient development of these
articulating parts of the vertebra. It can range
from a serious condition to a mild one.
Spondylolysis
may permit forward slippage of a vertebra onto the
next vertebra below it, producing a
spondylolisthesis. Spondylolysis occurs in 6% of the
population, but only in people who can stand upright
and walk. Spondylolysis is more common among
athletes active in sports that require repetitive
hyperextension, such as diving, weight lifting,
wrestling and gymnastics.
Children and
teens with this condition may have no symptoms,
though symptoms often develop during the
preadolescent growth spurt. The magnitude of
symptoms does not always correlate with the severity
of the slipped vertebra. Many people with this
condition don't require treatment. Spondylolysis or
low-grade spondylolisthesis may be managed
conservatively without surgery. However, young ("skeletally
immature") people with more than 30 to 50%
slippage are at increased risk for progression and
are candidates for spinal fusion without delay. For
other patients, treatment can vary from surgery to
physical therapy to modification of activities.
Spondylolisthesis has an emotional impact
because pain can limit function and impair quality
of life. Education is important in giving the
patient a sense of control and the information
necessary to make informed treatment decisions.
Hospitals Listing
Escorts Heart Institute
New Delhi
{India}
Prince Court, Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
{Malaysia}
Prince Court, Kuala Lumpur
BNH Hospital
{Thailand}
BNH Hospital
KK Women's and Children's Hospital
{Singapore}
KK Women's and Children's Hospital
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