Spondylolisthesis is both congenital and acquired, which is related to four major factors.
Dr. Zhang, a doctor of spinal neurology in the United States, said that the so-called lumbar spondylolisthesis refers to the forward or backward slippage and displacement of the human lumbar vertebra or the recommended vertebra, and the most common position is the position of the fifth lumbar vertebra and the recommended vertebra. Generally speaking, lumbar spondylolisthesis used to be a mass in clinic, but whatever it is, the reasons leading to it are mainly related to the following four factors:
Factor 1/ Congenital structural abnormality: Congenital structural abnormality of lumbar spine leads to lumbar spondylolisthesis forward or backward, which makes the muscles around the spine unstable for a long time.
Factor 2/ External force trauma: car accident and fall lead to fracture, broken vertebral arch, and unstable spine can also cause lumbar spondylolisthesis.
Factor 3/ Lumbar degeneration: Long-term bad posture causes the lumbar spine to be squeezed by abnormal pressure, or the lack of muscle support around the lumbar spine due to age makes the lumbar structure weak, which will also increase the risk of lumbar spondylolisthesis.
Factor 4/ Tumor: In addition, a small part of spondylolisthesis is caused by tumor compression or bone invasion, which leads to fracture and even spinal instability.
Does lumbar spondylolisthesis have to be fixed surgically? Expert: Identify the causes of pain and only hint at these phenomena.
As for the symptoms, generally speaking, lumbar spondylolisthesis will cause soreness, pain, tingling and numbness in the waist, buttocks and legs, as if getting an electric shock or even weakness. In severe cases, acute lumbar cauda equina syndrome may even be caused by compression of cauda equina plexus of spinal cord central nerve, resulting in difficulty in defecation, incontinence and paralysis of lower limbs, which requires urgent medical treatment.
But seeing this, I believe the people will definitely want to ask, once the lumbar spondylolisthesis is diagnosed, is it necessary to have surgery? In this regard, Dr. Zhang explained that generally speaking, except for the above-mentioned loss and atrophy of lower limb muscle strength and spinal cord compression caused by trauma and tumor, surgical treatment should be considered unless there is no obvious improvement after continuous conservative treatment for more than 3 months. Most patients with spondylolisthesis can be improved by conservative treatment.
In fact, not all lumbar spondylolisthesis problems will lead to backache, numbness of feet, weakness of legs and feet, and even reflex pain! And although lumbar spondylolisthesis can be divided into five grades according to the severity of spondylolisthesis. But in fact, secondary slippage (
Dr. zhang shared the personal experience of a friend (Xiaomei/pseudonym). Xiaomei is a hard-working full-time Sambo mother. She was diagnosed with secondary lumbar spondylolisthesis (50% displacement) due to back pain, lumbago and leg pain. Doctors suggest that spondylolisthesis may need surgical fixation before it can get better. She was very anxious when she heard that she would have an operation on her spine. I can't sleep well every day, I can't eat, and the pain seems to be worse. Even taking painkillers doesn't work. After seeking a second opinion and carefully understanding its X-ray film, it was found that Xiaomei's lumbar spondylolisthesis was actually a congenital structural problem. Moreover, the problem of backache mainly appeared after the birth of twins, and there were no symptoms of backache and leg pain in two pregnancies (including twins) for more than 30 years.
Therefore, the second doctor thinks that the main cause of Xiaomei's pain and discomfort may not be directly related to lumbar spondylolisthesis. Surgery is not needed for the time being, and conservative treatment is recommended. Hearing this, she put down the big stone in her heart. After she began to actively regulate her body, exercise moderately, and had her husband, relatives and friends to help her raise her children, Xiaomei found that her pain and discomfort had been greatly reduced by 70% in the second week, and she had completely returned to normal after a few weeks. It can be seen that in fact, many people with lumbar spondylolisthesis, the pain problem is not directly caused by lumbar spondylolisthesis, but related to other possible factors.
Can lumbar spondylolisthesis exercise? Moderately strengthening core muscle group exercise and stabilizing muscles will help to improve.
Because of this, Dr. Zhang pointed out that generally speaking, most of the secondary lumbar spondylolisthesis can be improved by conservative treatment, and only a few problems of lumbar spondylolisthesis need surgical treatment. However, it is also mentioned that most of the low back pain and symptoms caused by lumbar spondylolisthesis are mainly related to the unstable muscle state around the spine. If such people only rely on electrotherapy, hot compress and other means to deal with it, they can only get immediate relief, which is not helpful for improving structural problems.
Therefore, Dr. Zhang suggested that people with lumbar spondylolisthesis should never be completely afraid to exercise because of fear. After being confirmed by professional chiropractors and physiotherapists as affordable, it is advisable to moderately correct exercise and strengthen the exercise of core muscles; Combined with correct daily posture adjustment, it is a good way to help improve the stability of muscles around the spine and maintain body mechanics.
For example, walking, brisk walking, swimming, even riding a flywheel, yoga, pilates, proper weight training and so on. They are all good exercise choices, as long as they don't feel uncomfortable during the process; It is suggested that the latter can be carried out under the guidance of professional fitness coaches and yoga teachers. For friends with serious pain problems in the early stage, you can try to lie flat on the bed, put the soles of your feet on the bed surface and bend your knees left and right, which will also help stabilize the muscles around the lumbar spine.
Lower your back and lean back NG! Avoid more serious lumbar spondylolisthesis. Never do it.
The only thing to note is that lumbar spondylolisthesis refers to the unstable state of human lumbar spondylolisthesis, which moves forward or backward. Therefore, it is not recommended that people bend the spine greatly in daily exercise and exercise. Dr. zhang pointed out that, in fact, epidemiological studies have found that gymnasts often need to engage in extreme sports such as low back and back bow. People with overstretched lumbar vertebrae have a higher probability of lumbar spondylolisthesis than ordinary people, so special attention should be paid.
Expert Xiao:
Finally, Dr. Zhang also reminded people with spondylolisthesis not to rashly listen to and try so-called * * * methods such as stepping on children's backs, beating with mallets and buckling, so as to avoid uncomfortable reactions such as nerve compression and aggravated pain due to improper external pressure.
Dr. Zhang pointed out that generally speaking, most of the secondary lumbar spondylolisthesis can be improved by conservative treatment, and only a few problems of lumbar spondylolisthesis need surgical treatment. Dr. Zhang pointed out that in fact, not all lumbar spondylolisthesis problems will lead to symptoms such as backache, numbness of feet, weakness of legs and feet, and even reflex pain. Walking, brisk walking, swimming, even riding a flywheel, yoga, Pilates, proper weight training, etc. They are all good exercise choices, as long as you don't feel uncomfortable in the process.