SPONDYLOLISTHESIS EXERCISES, CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, TREATMENT

SPONDYLOLISTHESIS

• When we are young we have a cartilage plate that allows the bone growth, one such plate is present in our spine also.

• Our bones become solid and these cartilage plates close as we become mature.

• Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis may occur in this back section of a vertebra due to crack

• Spondylolisthesis is the forward displacement of a vertebra over the  vertebra below it, backward displacement is occasionally seen.

• It can be congenital or dysplastic, ischemic or pathological, developmental or degenerative, or traumatic

• You may have pain in your lower back and legs if the displaced vertebra puts pressure on the nerve.

• Spondylolisthesis can be asymptomatic, the presence of a spondylolisthesis may be identified by chance when an X-ray is taken of the abdomen or spine for some other condition.

CAUSES OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS

• It can be due to some structural vertebral abnormality by birth

• Due to age-related degenerative changes of facet joints that cause instability

• Trauma or injury.

• Generalized or localized bone disease that weakens the articulation between the vertebrae.

• Too much stress on the bones in the lower back, during activity such as gymnastics and football.

• Abnormal gait with a protuberant abdomen can be a risk factor for slippage of vertebrae

SYMPTOMS OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS

• Backache, with or without sciatica

• Increase in symptoms while walking and standing

• Radiating symptoms like irritation, compression, or tension rarely occurs if present than restricted to L5

• Tightness of hamstring muscles (back of thigh)

• an indentation in the lower lumbar spine is visible in severe cases

• Sacrum is more vertical and buttocks are flat

• Increased lower back curve (lumbar lordosis)

TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS

• Bracing to support the spine: Anti lordotic total contact, a thoraco-lumbosacral molded brace can be recommended.

• Braces has to be continuously worn for a period of 2 years to avoid slippage progression

• Anti-inflammatory medications to decrease pain

• Activity modification

• Postural correction

• Physiotherapy

• Surgery is rarely done if bracing is unable to control pain or nerve compression or there is a progressive slippage, lumbar spine surgery (bony fusion) can be done

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Heat therapy

SWD

Ultrasound

Lowe back exercises.

EXERCISES FOR SPONDYLOLISTHESIS

LEVEL 1

SUPINE PELVIC TILT EXERCISE

HAMSTRING STRETCH 1 EXERCISE

CALF STRETCH EXERCISE

ISOMETRIC ADDUCTOR SQUEEZE EXERCISE

SINGLE-LEG ELONGATION EXERCISE

BACK FLEXION EXERCISES

LEVEL 2 ( start after pain reduces)

KNEELING PELVIC TILT EXERCISE

SEATED PELVIC TILT EXERCISE

PRONE KNEE BEND EXERCISE

ISOMETRIC HIP FLEXION EXERCISE

BACK FLEXION EXERCISES (INCREASE NUMBER OF REPETITION)

PRECAUTIONARY GUIDANCE:

GETTING IN AND OUT OF BED

TURNING IN BED

MODIFIED SLEEPING HABITS

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