Dr Adriaan Liebenberg My Spine Explained | Page 42
CHAPTER 7
SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
What is it?
In spondylolisthesis one of the vertebrae slips forward on the vertebra direct-
ly below it. This can lead to the compression of the nerves that exit through
the foramina. The disc is also damaged by the forward movement of the ver-
tebra. The term spondylolisthesis is a Greek term and is derived from the
word ‘spondylos’, which means vertebra, and ‘listhesis’, which means to slip
or to slide.
There are different types of spondylolisthesis:
Inborn (congenital) – In this case the slippage is caused by abnormal bone
that does not develop normally at birth and predisposes the vertebrae to slip.
Isthmic – In this case there is breakage of the bony elements that support the
joints, which in turn are responsible for keeping the vertebrae in place. This
breakage is called spondylolysis.
Degenerative – In this case degeneration of the discs and facet joints leads to
slippage of the vertebrae.
Traumatic – Trauma can lead to a fracture of the stabilising complex that
houses the intervertebral joint and this in turn leads to the slippage.
Post-surgical – Overzealous decompression of the lumbar spine during sur-
gery can lead to instability and the inability of the intervertebral joints to stop
slippage from occurring.
Pathologic – This is when the bone is weakened by a pathological process
such as a tumour, infection, bone disease or osteoporosis.
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