Spondylolisthesis Treatment in Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice, Englewood & Port Charlotte, FL
If you are suffering from Spondylolisthesis and looking for the best treatment that can help relieve your pain, do not hesitate to contact Ramos Center for Interventional & Functional Pain Medicine today or request an appointment online.
What is spondylolisthesis?
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.
How is spondylolisthesis diagnosed?
Your doctor will perform an in-depth physical exam and discuss your symptoms if you have any. Some patients with spondylolisthesis will not notice any symptoms. In others, lower back pain, sciatica, hamstring spasms, or foot numbness can all be indications that you may have spondylolisthesis. The most important part of the diagnostic process is x-ray imaging of the lumbar spine to effectively view the internal positioning of your vertebrae. If the misplaced vertebrae are expected to be pressing on nerves in your back, a CT scan may be ordered as well. At Ramos Center for Interventional & Functional Pain Medicine, our experienced pain specialists can provide precise diagnosis, so you are armed with the information you need to decide on a treatment plan that is right for your needs. We believe in providing our patients with comprehensive care and support that can have a truly positive impact on their lives every day, so they can enjoy a full and active life.
What treatment options are available for spondylolisthesis?
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.
If you have chronic low back pain and think that spondylolisthesis may be the culprit, contact Ramos Center for Interventional & Functional Pain Medicine to schedule a personalized consultation today. We have convenient locations in Bradenton, Sarasota, and Venice, FL, so you can easily access the quality pain management services and spondylolisthesis treatments you need to live your best life possible.
