Does Exercise Cause Spondylolisthesis?

Few parts of the human body can rival the spine or back. Those 24 vertebrae accented by the sacrum and the tailbone combine to create a masterful workhorse responsible for nearly every movement you make, from bending down in the morning to putting on your slippers to rolling over in bed to kiss your partner at night.

When your spine is healthy and stable, movement comes natural, easy, and painless. Those 24 vertebrae work together like a beautifully choreographed dance. Still, factors like natural wear and tear, overuse, genetics, or taking part in high-impact sports can put you at a higher risk for developing spine instability. In this blog, Neil Bhamb, MD, unpacks a spine instability condition called spondylolisthesis.

Spondylolisthesis versus herniated discs

With neck and back issues, you are probably more familiar with a condition called a herniated disc. Both conditions are spine instability issues that can cause neck and back pain and happen because of misalignment caused by slippage.The source of the issue with a herniated disc is those jelly-like round spinal discs that cushion your vertebrae. Specifically, with a herniated disc, those rubbery discs between vertebrae slip out of place, rupture, or budge, ultimately causing it to pinch or press on spinal cord nerves.

In contrast, spondylolisthesis isn’t a soft tissue slippage but involves the vertebrae. With spondylolisthesis, the source of the spine instability is a vertebra moving more than it should, making it move out of optimal alignment onto the vertebra below it. Just like with herniated discs, this scenario may cause a pinched or compressed nerve, in this case, usually in the lower back or leg.

Early diagnosis is key

Like many other medical conditions, early detection and diagnosis of spondylolisthesis can go a long way in preventing your condition from getting to where you lose range of motion. The pain alone typically motivates the average patient to make an appointment.

For most patients with spondylolisthesis, symptoms include lower back pain similar to a muscle strain or radiating pain from the buttocks to the back of the thighs. Other common symptoms include stiffness, tingling, leg weakness, and muscle spasms.

Many patients reveal that their pain worsens with activity and lessens with rest. Surprisingly, some patients with spondylolisthesis don’t have any noticeable symptoms and often go undiagnosed until they get an X-ray for an unrelated injury.

At our practice, Dr. Bhamb diagnoses spondylolisthesis using a combination of physical examination, medical history, and imaging tests such as  X-rays, MRI scans, and CT scans. Using the data collected through these diagnostics, Dr. Bhamb evaluates how severely your vertebra has slipped and recommends the most suitable treatment plan.

Spine fusion for severe spondylolisthesis

With mild cases of spondylolisthesis, your provider may recommend conservative treatment modalities such as physical therapy, rest, and wearing a brace. Anti-inflammatory drugs may help reduce pain and nerve sensitivity.

For more severe cases of spondylolisthesis, Dr. Bhamb may recommend surgery to prevent further vertebrae slippage and to stabilize the spine. One of the most common spine surgeries for spondylolisthesis is spine fusion.

During the surgery, Dr. Bhamb joins or fuses two or more spinal vertebrae into one solid piece in the treatment area. The goal of the surgery is to lessen back pain by reducing nerve compression and preventing movement. After spine fusion surgery, patients spend about two to four days in the hospital and typically can return to work in four to six weeks. The downside of spine fusion is you lose the range of motion in the fused part of the spine.  

The good news is Dr. Bhamb is an expert in minimally invasive spine (MISS) or endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) techniques to perform spine surgery. In contrast to traditional open surgery, MISS and ESS create less trauma to the body and offer a greater chance of preserving more range of motion after spinal fusion surgery.

If you’re experiencing back pain or other symptoms of spondylolisthesis, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Bhamb at our Century City or Marina Del Rey, California, office. Call or book your appointment online today.