Treatment for spondylolisthesis may be necessary for patients whose symptoms inhibit normal, everyday activities. The condition occurs when one vertebra slips forward onto the vertebra below it and, depending on the location of slippage in the spine, may cause symptoms of back or neck pain, stiffness, muscle spasm, and radiating numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in the upper or lower extremities. Conservative and alternative treatments both offer a non-surgical approach to relieving such symptoms.

Conservative Treatment Methods

Conservative treatments are the go-to methods for many spine conditions, including spondylolisthesis. A doctor will typically recommend that a patient begin treatment with some form of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. These drugs help to block the inflammation-inducing enzymes that are released when nerve tissues are irritated. In moderate to severe cases of pain, narcotic (opioid) medications may be prescribed. Narcotics, including codeine and oxycodone, interact chemically with the brain’s receptors, effectively blocking pain signals. If these medications are unable to alleviate pain, a doctor might recommend epidural steroid injections, which dispense steroidal (anti-inflammatory) and anesthetic (pain killing) drugs into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord. In addition to medications, a doctor will likely suggest a course of physical therapy as part of a spondylolisthesis treatment plan. Depending on a patient’s degree of vertebral slippage and the symptoms experienced, a physical therapist may incorporate hot/cold therapy, core muscle strengthening exercises, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) into a patient’s treatment plan.

Alternative Treatment Options

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a branch of health care systems, practices, and products that are not considered part of mainstream medicine. There is an ongoing debate about the efficacy of such treatments amongst members of the medical community, but many patients find symptomatic relief from alternative treatments. For instance, a patient seeking spondylolisthesis treatment might visit a chiropractor, a doctor who specializes in the manual manipulation of the spine to correct vertebral misalignments and neural compression, and to promote overall health and wellbeing. Others patients choose to pursue mind-body practices, which focus on using the mind to influence physical functioning or to alter the brain’s perception of pain. Some techniques include meditation, yoga, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, deep-breathing exercises, and Tai Chi.

Spondylolisthesis Surgery

Only a small percentage of spondylolisthesis patients undergo a surgical procedure to move the slipped vertebra back into place and relieve pressure on neural structures. Usually, the surgery also involves spinal fusion, which uses bone grafts, rods, screws, and other hardware to secure a displaced vertebra to another. This serves to ensure that the vertebra won’t slip out of place again, but it also permanently limits the movement within the treated vertebral segment. For this reason, patients should completely understand each of the risks and benefits associated with spinal fusion and any other procedures that may be suggested as surgical treatment for spondylolisthesis. It is also advisable for individuals to obtain second and third opinions from other medical professionals to verify that all nonsurgical treatments have been exhausted.

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of spondylolisthesis and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Spondylolisthesis