Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: Definition, Natural History, Conservative Management, and Surgical Treatment

Mohamad Bydon; Mohammed Ali Alvi; Anshit Goyal

doi:10.1016/j.nec.2019.02.003

Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: Definition, Natural History, Conservative Management, and Surgical Treatment

Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2019 Jul;30(3):299-304. doi: 10.1016/j.nec.2019.02.003.

Authors

Mohamad Bydon¹, Mohammed Ali Alvi², Anshit Goyal²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic Neuro-Informatics Lab, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic Neuro-Informatics Lab, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

PMID: 31078230
DOI: 10.1016/j.nec.2019.02.003

Abstract

Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis is one of the most common causes of low back pain and is defined as displacement of one vertebra over subjacent vertebra, associated with degenerative changes, without an associated disruption or defect in the vertebral ring. Undersetanding natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis is important to tailor an individualized management plan for each patient. A trial of conservative therapy may be considered for patients with low-grade spondylolisthesis presenting with radiculopathy and/or pseudoclaudication. These options may include physical therapy, epidural steroid injection, and pain medications. If unresolved, surgical options may include decompression alone or decompression and fusion.

Keywords: Degenerative spondylolisthesis; Low back pain; Management; Spine surgery.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Conservative Treatment*
Decompression, Surgical*
Humans
Lumbar Vertebrae / surgery
Lumbosacral Region / surgery*
Spinal Stenosis / surgery
Spondylolisthesis / diagnosis
Spondylolisthesis / surgery*
Treatment Outcome