There are lot of conditions of spine that result in similar symptoms but the reasons are different and so is the severety. Another problem that affects the spine is spondylolisthesis. The name may sound so complicated and scarry but it simply is the condition when the vertebrae slips out of allignment. The resons for slipping or misalingment of the vertebrae could be many that includes fracture, age related wear and tear or a trauma. However, this is mostly a problem of the lower back, hence the problems are also associated with lower back like pain, stiffness, radiating pain to legs etc.
SYMPTOMS & DIAGNOSIS
The most common symptom of spondylolisthesis is pain in lower back which radiates to legs and hips. This also causes numbness in legs. Apart from pain and numbness patient also experiences stiffness of hamstrings which could be very discomforting.
The first step towards correct diagnosis of the problem is to seek a consultation with a spine specialist who will understand your medical history and symptoms, based on which you would be prescribed like X-ray or CT Scan or MRI of Spine. Whatever tests spine specialist would prescribe would be with an aim to get the best and correct diagnosis so that the correct line of treatment could be started.
TREATMENT
As in all other diseases, the best treatment can be decided only on the correct diagnosis. Based on the reports of the investigations that the spine specialist Dr Sudeep Jain has advised, you may be taken up for conservative or surgical management for the problem. However in most of the cases the first line of treatment that Spine Specialist Dr Sudeep Jain chooses at his Spine Clinic is through medication and exercises. But we need to understand that a patient who is already facing issues like loss of bladder and bowel control is not a candidate for conservative management. Such patient needs to be taken up for endoscopic surgery to correct spondylolisthesis. When it comes to endoscopic surgery there are very few surgeons who come close to Dr Sudeep Jain, who has produced some of the best results in most challenging cases.
