Spondylolisthesis is a chronic spine condition that occurs when a lumbar vertebra slips forward. This distorts the shape of your spine and can compress the nerves of the spinal canal or those found between the vertebrae. Compressed nerves are what cause the chronic pain patients suffer with. There are a few different reasons that a person may develop spondylolisthesis. When it is diagnosed in children, the condition is often the result of a birth defect. In adults, it is often a result of the progression of spondylolysis, which happens when stress fractures are present in the lumbar spine. A sudden injury to the spine or certain normal results of aging such as arthritis and reduced disc elasticity can also cause a person to develop spondylolisthesis.

Spondylolisthesis can lead to chronic low back pain that makes it increasingly difficult to get through the day. Patients who suffer with spondylolisthesis may have a hard time sitting for long periods of time at their work desk or performing everyday errands and tasks.

Your treatment will be developed especially for you. Depending on the severity of your condition, rest or over-the-counter medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs could be helpful. For others, prescription pain medication or a back brace may be best. Epidural steroid injections can be used to reduce pain and inflammation. Most patients can benefit form targeted physical therapy to strengthen important muscles in the back and core to help provide effective support for the injured area of the spine. For the most severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to stabilize the lumbar spine and address nerve compression. Spinal fusion surgery requires a lengthy recovery process, but has an incredibly high success rate.