The spine condition called isthmic spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebral body slips forward on the one below it because of a small fracture in a piece of bone that connects the two joints on the back side of the spinal segment.
The fracture in this small piece of bone, called the pars interarticularis, is caused by stress to the bone. While the fracture tends to occur most commonly when an individual is young (around 5 to 7 years old), for most people symptoms typically do not develop until adulthood. There is another spike in occurrence of lower back pain from spondylolisthesis in adolescence.
A degenerative spondylolisthesis typically occurs at one of two levels of the lumbar spine:
The L4-L5 level of the lower spine (most common location) and the L3-L4 level.
Degenerative spondylolisthesis is relatively rare at other levels of the spine, but may occur at two levels or even three levels simultaneously. While not as common as lumbar spondylolisthesis, cervical spondylolisthesis (in the neck) can occur. When degenerative spondylolisthesis does occur in the neck, it is usually a secondary issue to arthritis in the facet joints.
Symptoms:
- Low back pain after activity
- Increased lordosis (sway back)
- Pain or weakness in one or both thighs or legs
- Tight Hamstrings
- Reduced ability to control bowel or bladder function
- none
Possible Causes:
- Heavy Lifting
- Aging / degeneration
- A single force such as a fall
- Physically demanding sports such as gymnastics, weightlifting, football, etc.
