Spondylolisthesis Treatment in and around Atlanta

Description

Spondylolisthesis is a condition where the vertebra slip and slide when the body moves. This slipping and sliding is usually worse with activity and better with rest. The most common symptom is back pain or leg pain that limits a person's activity level.

Spondylolisthesis can be caused by a number of things:

• A damaged aging disc (degenerative spondylolisthesis)
• Trauma
• Bone disease or cancer
• Prior surgery
• Birth defect

Symtoms

Degenerative spondylolisthesis is the most common type of listhesis and often results in back and     or leg pain that is worse with standing and walking and better with sitting, lying down, or leaning on a shopping cart.

Spondylolisthesis Treatment Options

Surgery for degenerative spondylolisthesis is usually either a laminectomy, a fusion, or a fusion combined with a laminectomy.  Fusions usually require a 6-9 month recovery and are not a procedure that Dr. Bendiks usually recommends.

Just say No To Laminectomy. Unfortunately, the most common surgery for degenerative spondylolisthesis is a laminectomy.  This procedure where bone is cut out of the spine is a very bad option for very good reasons.

• Laminectomies are very pain painful
• Laminectomies often make the listhesis (slipping) worse and more painful
• Laminectomies can cause nerve damage or damage the lining of the spinal cord called the dura( dural tear)
• Laminectomies usually only provide temporary relief (3-5 years) that ultimately requires a larger fusion procedure with a 6-9 month recovery process

Instead of a laminectomy, Dr. Bendiks’ Stenoplasty for Spinal Stenosis procedure may be the answer for you. Answer these two questions to see if you have treatable lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Do I Have Degenerative Spondylolisthesis?

Is your back and/or leg pain worse with standing and walking?

Is your back and/or leg pain better with sitting or leaning on a shopping cart?