If you have injured your back and find yourself in search of a doctor that will provide you with the tools that you need to heal, there are no shortage of questions that need to be answered. Spondylolisthesis is a common ailment in these instances, and it is a condition that may or may not require surgery as soon as possible.
For starters, a medical professional will typically exhaust all non-surgical options before surgery is recommended. Physical therapy and pain medication are great options, but there are scenarios where surgery is the best option. When back pain is severe and ongoing, spine surgery may become the top choice for patients in search of relief. NJ Spine & Orthopedic can help you determine if you need spine surgery after evaluating your medical records.
Spondylolisthesis Symptoms
Before you can decide on a course of treatment, it is important to isolate all of your symptoms. The process of identifying symptoms is not always easy, as they are not noticeable in every instance. If the symptoms are not currently noticeable, they may present themselves in other forms.
Some examples of symptoms for spondylolisthesis include experiencing:
- Lower back pain on a regular basis
- Muscle spasms in the back of your thigh or hamstring.
- Pain that shoots down your leg
These are signs that you could be dealing with spondylolisthesis. If these symptoms are persistent and don’t go away with non-surgical treatment options, you may need to consult an orthopedic surgeon.
How Do You Know If You Need Spondylolisthesis Surgery?
Deciding whether you need surgery is never easy. If the pain does not start to subside with more traditional methods, this could be a sign that surgery is necessary. Physical therapy and back braces are typically offered up initially. In these instances, spinal fusion surgery could be a suggestion from the orthopedic surgeon.
Most doctors will wait at least six months to see if conventional forms of treatment provide the necessary relief. Surgery is never an option that is chosen lightly. There are also cases that may require surgery because spondylolisthesis presses on the patient’s nerves. Pain, tingling, and numbness are common signs that nerve irritation is taking place.
Spondylolisthesis Surgery Types
If you require surgery to help treat spondylolisthesis, there are a couple of different options available:
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
When this surgical procedure is performed, the affected area is approached by the surgeon through the lower back. This technique does come with certain limitations as far as the surface area is concerned. This procedure is considered to be the best option for anyone who is dealing with localized spondylolisthesis that is taking place in their lower back.
These procedures function in the same manner as other forms of spinal fusion surgery. The surgeon will take a piece of bone from the pelvis and place it in between the bones of the spine. From there, they give the new bone ample opportunity to fuse to the patient’s spine. Any fixation device that is used in these instances will be small, due to the limited surface area.
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
This form of spinal surgery comes with a different approach entirely. The spine’s affected area is going to be approached through the abdomen of the patient. This provides the surgeon with a much larger surface area to work with. For patients that are currently struggling with isthmic spondylolisthesis, this is the most common procedure that is typically recommended.
If the patient is experiencing spinal deformities that are caused by the aforementioned condition, anterior lumbar interbody fusion will be suggested. Much like the previous procedure discussed, a piece of the pelvic bone is placed between the bones of the spine and given the chance to fuse.
Speak With NJ Spine & Orthopedic’s Experienced Back Specialists Today
If you find yourself wondering what step is the best to take, our team of experienced back specialists is on hand to help you. We will help you to diagnose the issue and talk through all of the best options that are currently available to you. Be sure to head to our website and contact us as soon as possible. You are also more than welcome to give us a call at (866) 553-0612.
At NJ Spine & Orthopedic, we want to have you back to normal as quickly as possible. With the help of our team of professionals and Concierge Team, you are able to assess the problem in a more timely manner and find the solution that works best for your needs. Get in touch with us today.