Spondylolisthesis

[Mastermind75]

Has or is anyone getting a level fused due to spondylolisthesis and if so what grade is your slippage?

[Jack-of-all-trades]

This sounds like my situation. Fusion at any given level is kind of the supposed cure-all. The basic surgery is over 50 years old but has been refined over the years. Any slip of grade one or less without a pars interarticularis defect (fracture of the thin bones on either side of the spinal cord) might be a candidate for disc replacement. Disc replacement is kind of the new kid on the block and has still not gotten universal acceptance in the USA.

I ended up going with a minimally invasive posterior lumbar fusion with internal fixation of L5 on S1. Of all the lumbar levels, this one seems to be the most appropriate for fusion opposed to ADR. Posterior is a little better than anterior, especially if you are a guy. Less risk of nerve damage.

[Mastermind75]

My slippage is only a grade one but I have a herniated disc as well. The nerve pain radiates on my left butt cheek and down my leg 24/7. I am scheduled to get a peek CAGE via a anterial procedure and screws and bolts via the back. Just curious on how other people with there degrees of slippage.

[Carmen]

Has or is anyone getting a level fused due to spondylolisthesis and if so what grade is your slippage?

Hi mastermnd,
I have a grade 1 spondylolisthesis. I had a X ray done with state of the art
equipment. The doctor said my problems were middle of the road. Which was different than I was told previously. But after he saw the x-ray he and his associate began real excitedly talking in a foreign language. I guess there was a lot of slippage to the right. I don't know if that was the information you were looking for, but hopefully it was. Where are you having your surgery? Are you new to the group. I don't remember seeing your name before. If you are new I am having either a 4 to 5 level or a 5 to 6 level. Thank you for writing. Carmen

[Carmen]

This sounds like my situation. Fusion at any given level is kind of the supposed cure-all. The basic surgery is over 50 years old but has been refined over the years. Any slip of grade one or less without a pars interarticularis defect (fracture of the thin bones on either side of the spinal cord) might be a candidate for disc replacement. Disc replacement is kind of the new kid on the block and has still not gotten universal acceptance in the USA.

I ended up going with a minimally invasive posterior lumbar fusion with internal fixation of L5 on S1. Of all the lumbar levels, this one seems to be the most appropriate for fusion opposed to ADR. Posterior is a little better than anterior, especially if you are a guy. Less risk of nerve damage.

I am sorry to hear that. Are you still on all those medications now. I am getting ready for a either a 4 to 5 level or a 5 to 6 level fusion. It will be from T 12 to the sacrum. One more thing, a Mac is much easier than a PC. Carmen

[Mastermind75]

Thank you Carmen yes I am new. Joined in January so I'm still sorta a virgin here...lol.

[Justin]

My slippage is only a grade one but I have a herniated disc as well. The nerve pain radiates on my left butt cheek and down my leg 24/7. I am scheduled to get a peek CAGE via a anterial procedure and screws and bolts via the back. Just curious on how other people with there degrees of slippage.

Hi MM,

With Grade 1 slippage, you should do quite well after surgery. Of course, this is dependent on many variables. However, what's playing in your "favor" is that you don't have a high grade slippage (Grade 3 or 4) and your "step-off" falls between 1- 25% slippage as a Grade 1. This procedure will correct the "step-off" and should greatly help with your symptoms.

[Mastermind75]

Thank you Justin. The slip is 9mm but the pain seems to have gotten worse. I'm hoping the slip hasnt increased. I'm sure everything will be great. I'm a former Marine and wont give up.

[dodgegirl89]

I am in the process of having a MIS TLIF done on my L5-S1. I have spondylolisthesis due to 2 breaks in my L5. The breaks have caused my L5 to slip forward 3mm.
I injured my back in April 2009 at work and have been through numerous doctors before I finally found one that was willing to treat me. I saw an Orthopedic Surgeon back on Dec. 14th. He saw the breaks right away and ordered an Xray. The Xray showed the slip in my L5. I have been waiting for W/C to approve my fusion and have gotten worse because of it.

My surgeon feels very confident that my fusion will be a success because of my age and physical fitness. I will be 21 April 25th. I used to ride and train horses and was considered a gym "junkie" Other than my breaks and slip, my spine is in very good health. Im hoping that I will be able to ride and train horses once I recover from my fusion

[Jack-of-all-trades]

dodgegirl'

This sounds like what I just had done. I have two incisions, each about 1 1/4" long through the skin. The underlying tissue was dialater to about the size of a paper towel tube. All surgery took place through these tubes. In my case they cleaned out the disc space, removed the facets (with fusion you don't need the) and used them as the principal component of the slurry put in place of the disc. Titanium bars, bolts and screws, oh and not to forget plates were used.


I had surgery on Monday and went home on Thursday. I was up out of bed in a chair the day of surgery though not very bright eyed nor bushy tailed. The post-op pain the day after surgery was pretty bad untill I got my meds changer to Dilaudid. I was ready to go home Wednesday but had to wait untill first thing Thursday.

A week after getting home I could walk two miles. Now, 7+ weeks out, I have extended periods without pain. I'm not suppose to piuck up over 20 lbs but fudged it at times and pay for it in triplicates later. I'm tapering down on pain meds and hopefully off Percocet in about a month.

If I were you I think I would see if there are any x-rays out there that show your back prior to your work injury. As a general rule, fractures of the spinal isthmus occur early in life. As people age it can become a problem going from asyptomatic to hurten bad. Us type folks are poor candidates for Disc replacement.

I wish I had done this 2 years ago and saved myself a lot of time, pain, and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$