What is the correct spelling of spinnolithiasis?!
Question: this is a condition when the vertebrae start slipping sideways
Answers: this is a condition when the vertebrae start slipping sideways
What is 'spondylolisthesis'?
Spondylolisthesis is the word that spine surgeons use to describe the displacement of one vertebra on top of another. The word is pronounced "spon-dih-low-lis-thee-sis".
The word spondylolysis means there is a specific defect in the bone of the vertebra. This bone defect may lead to spondylolisthesis, or it may not.
What causes spondylolisthesis?
There are six types of spondylolisthesis, the most common are due to aging or a the bony defect described above.
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Degenerative spondylolisthesis is by far the most common cause of spinal segments slipping on top of eachother. Over time, aging causes changes to the tissues of the body, including the bones, joints, and ligaments that hold the vertebral column together.
If the degenerative changes progress to a point when the ligaments and joints cannot hold the proper position of the spinal column, then degenerative spondylolisthesis is the result.
Isthmic Spondylolisthesis
Isthmic spondylolisthesis is due to a specific bony defect in the spine called spondylolysis. Spondylolysis is a defect in a specific region called the pars interarticularis. A pars defect is most commonly the result of repetitive microtrauma during childhood. Some sports are thought to make children more susceptible to developing spondylolysis, including gymnastics, diving, and football.
As stated previously, spondylolysis is the word used to describe the problem in the bone of the vertebrae. Spodylolysis is not the slippage of the vertebrae; again that is termed spondylolisthesis.
Other causes of spondylolisthesis include congenital (inborn) anomalies, trauma, tumors and bone diseases, and surgical procedures.
What are the symptoms of spondylolisthesis?
The symptoms of spondylolisthesis can be wide ranging from an incidental finding on x-ray (no symptoms) to severe back and leg pain with nerve damage.
Many cases of spondylolisthesis in children cause few symptoms. Intermittent back pain may be found, especially when hyperextending (arching) the back.
When the nerves exiting the spinal cord, or the spinal cord itself, become pinched by the spondylolisthesis, then nerve symptoms can result. Common nerve symptoms seen are similar to symptoms seen with a herniated disc. The symptoms include:
Leg pain
Electric shock-like symptoms travelling down the leg
Numbness or tingling in the legs and feet
Muscle weakness of the legs
Other symptoms can occur. If you experience any symptoms of problems with bowel or bladder function, or any numbness around the genitals, you should alert your doctor immediately. These symptoms may be a sign of cauda equina syndrome, and may be a medical emergency.
What is the treatment of spondylolisthesis?
Treatment of spondylolisthesis is wide ranging, from observation to surgical stabilization of the spine. Determining the appropriate treatment plan is most dependent on the age of the patient, the type of slip, and the symptoms experienced by the patient.
If the slip is small and the symptoms are manageable, then treatment is most often with observation. In children, this may include activity restrictions, such as withholding the child from participation in some sports.
When the slip is more significant, there may be a higher risk of the problem progressing, and surgery may be favored. In addition, patients who have symptoms of nerve compression are more likely to have surgery recommended. Nerves can become permanently damaged if there is prolonged compression of the nerve.
Do you mean "spondylolithisis"?
RN