topic Re: Spondylolisthesis in Wellness

Spondylolisthesis

KACEE1115 — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 03:23:35 GMT

I am suffering with Spondylolisthesis in the L4 and L5 vertebrae, how do you deal with this and what do you do for the pain. I do not want to have surgery. But I might end up having to have it. Thank you.

Re: Spondylolisthesis

Zernia Rose — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 03:50:50 GMT

I hope that you find some relief. I stretch, do exercises that focus on strenthening my core, use the Cubi, and Tai Chi. The Tai Chi is great for gentle movements and a meditative state of mind because of the focusing required. I have reactions to pain medications such as Gabapentine and others in the category andI can't take them. My pain reliever is Tylenol. Alternating with hot ad cold pads and massage can help. I prefer hot bamboo massages.

Re: Spondylolisthesis

spent2much — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 04:24:29 GMT

Well, I'm 73 and have been dealing with spondylolisthesis for as long as I can remember. A TENS unit has helped tremendously. I wear one 24/7 and wouldn't want to live without it. Also, I went to a good chiropractor twice a week for years and that helped. And I did exercises recommended by my chiropractor home every single day for about 10 years.

But about 15 years ago I had a job where I had to sit constantly for 8 hours a day. It was then that I decided I needed to find effective pain management. I have been on Norco (hydrocodone/Tylenol) for that long. It helps a great deal!

Re: Spondylolisthesis

PickyPicky3 — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 07:25:43 GMT

This will be hard to believe. Seven years ago I suddenly started having trouble walking. Out of nowhere. I would feel a snap in my lower back and then the pain was so bad I couldn't move. Somehow I figured out I could snap my lower spine area back into place by TWERKING for about two minutes, and then I could walk normally until the snap happened again. I had to twerk in public, but it was better than calling an ambulance.

Xrays and MRIs and a diagnosis of spondylolisthesis in the L4 and L5. Sent to a physical therapist who told me my insurance wouldn't cover therapy because I was in too good shape. The problem started happening more frequently.

Took a cruise vacation and when I got back the problem wasn't as bad. But it quickly got worse again.

Long story short, it was my brand new car, a Ford Fiesta with manual transmission. The driving position in that specific car put pressure on my lower spine and aggravated the spondylo I didn't know I had. Sold the car, got an SUV with an upright driving position, and the problem resolved and has never returned.

Moral of the story: listen to your body, analyze your life. Try a bunch of different things. Doctors don't always have the answer.

Good luck!

Re: Spondylolisthesis

Mindy D — Sun, 21 Nov 2021 14:14:06 GMT

@KACEE1115 @Your treatment should account for the degree of spondolithesie you have., There are excellent physical therapy exercises available for this on YouTube. Ask your doctor befor attempting any treatment routine.

Re: Spondylolisthesis

qualitygal — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 21:44:05 GMT

IBprofen, up to 800 mg at a time of pain. Chiropractor evey 6 wks. approx.

Re: Spondylolisthesis

Winkk — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 23:35:33 GMT

I have the same problem. I don't do anything. What type of surgery would you have? And, what will it do?

Re: Spondylolisthesis

KACEE1115 — Sun, 21 Nov 2021 15:25:46 GMT

@Winkk spinal fusion

Re: Spondylolisthesis

Sammycat1 — Sun, 21 Nov 2021 16:06:40 GMT

@KACEE1115

I've had this for 9 years and it has slowly progressed from grade 1 to grade 2. What grade are you?

All of these things help: Physical therapy exercises daily, Salonpas patches (lidocaine version), cortisone injections in spine and trigger point injections in back muscle, no anti-inflammatories (these help, but I can't take them anymore), keeping belly weight down, etc.

My surgeon said that fusion at this point is not a good idea. Fusion affects everything above and below the surgical area, putting additional pressure on adjoining areas. In my case, I also have degenerative disc disease above and below the area.

Good luck...it can be managed.

Re: Spondylolisthesis

hckynutjohn — Sun, 21 Nov 2021 16:49:07 GMT

@KACEE1115

I have had 2 back surgeries, 1 to remove ruptured L-5/ S-1, and the other to remove a ruptured L-3 spinal disc. The last surgery was done by a good friend of mine that deals exclusively with conditions of the spine. He practices at our State Spine Center.

Have had many, many conversations with him about back issues, in general. He's told me that regardless of individuals being diagnosed with the same cause, each patient he deals with, are not the even close to the same.

Much depends on the overall condition of a patients total body, along with the specific levels and locations on the spine. 1 thing he has told me several times is how much strain being a lot overweight puts on one's spine.

He is an athlete and played in my Adult Hockey League for many years. For low degrees of Spondylolisthesis he recommends Physical Therapy, along for some Chiropractic Adjustments. And for those that have no underlying problems, OTC meds like Advil or Aleve.

He emphasises that the structure of the spinal column is dependent on Strong Core Muscles for supporting it, and good Flexibility of all muscles on the rear side of the body. Starting from the Achilles Tendon above the foot, up to and including the neck muscles. If it flexes, it needs to be stretched regularly and continually, including after pain subsides.

Core muscle exercises at no time bothered or caused more pain for me Pre-surgery. Even if done sitting or just lying in your bed. Abdominal muscles are easy to contract and release with zero or very little pain.

For me personally, I wanted to eliminate my sources of pain. I did not want stop/gap temporary relief as it did not allow me to live my type of life, including my job at the plant. I opted for surgery, 1 as far back as 1974 when there was no MRI/Scope or Micro Surgeries.

Since you must have had an MRI to get this diagnosis, I would suggest you get your information from your doctor that ordered and read your MRI.

I know from being there that any major type of spinal issue can severely limit one's ability to do even simple every day things. Hopefully your doctor can find and recommend the best solution for you. If it ends up being surgery? I have had 2 with 3 Lumbar Discs removed, and I still function quite well at 82.

Best to you,

hckynut

Re: Spondylolisthesis

PilatesLover — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 16:08:19 GMT

Yin yoga has been a godsend for me. Also restorative yoga.

My inversion table, and Pilates.

Re: Spondylolisthesis

Marybella — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 17:17:13 GMT

@hckynutjohn I am scheduled to have surgery on L4 and L5 fusing them together, from what I understand. I am looking forward to having pain relief. Physical therapy, rhizotomies and injections really haven't given long-lasting relief, so surgery really is my only hope. Dumb question for you-can you raise your arms to get into a tee shirt or sweater right after the surgery? Would I be better wearing a shirt that buttons down the front?

Re: Spondylolisthesis

hckynutjohn — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 19:16:05 GMT

@Marybella

I had my L-5/S-1 removal surgery in 1974. Needless to say, back surgery has advanced a lot since that decade. It left a 10" scar on my back, and I spent 1 day short of a month in the hospital.

Also, my surgery was a Laminectomy, not a Fusion, big difference back then. My Ortho Back Surgeon friend told me there are several options in how Fusion Surgery can now be performed. He uses different ways of Fusing, depending on the patient, some recovering quicker than another.

What I can say is this regarding your question. I spent most of June 1974 in the hospital, including my 35th birthday. When I was released it was hot weather time here in Nebraska. Until the stitches were removed, about 8 days later, he did not want me walking down steps. I lived in a 2nd story apartment at the time, so made many laps around that floor for therapy.

Since my aim was to get back to playing hockey in the Fall, a lot of my Therapy was walking. I broke it up to 3 times a day working up to 3 miles each session. Within a month he gave me the ok to start Running again.

During those outside hot walks I always wore a T-shirt, which obviously slips over the head. My only button down shirts were for "going out", not for working out. No problem there. I don't recall having any issues with raising my arms at all. The hardest dressing problem was putting on socks for me originally, shoes were a bit easier.

Over time and doing all my stretching exercises, I got enough flexibility back in my spinal muscles to be able to get back to dressing, including feet, in close to a normal amount of time.

My Ortho friend does only Spinal Surgeries, many of which are the Micro Type. In around 2007, when he removed my ruptured L-3, he performed it in his office. I was In and Out in a little over 2 hours. Left about a 1" scar covered by a band aid.

Still had to Rehab to regain my flexibility and core strength. Again, no problems raising my arms, but socks and shoes I did slowly the first couple weeks. The "quick fix" did not rule out pain and stiffness of the spinal muscles and connective tissue. Not familiar with either type of Rhizotomy.

I wish you well and be sure to stick to your Post Surgical Physical Therapy, both at Therapy Sessions, and even moreso at home. That alone is what has left me today, at 82, just as flexible as pre-1974 surgery at 35 years old.

I saw my nephew, who is an MD, at ice skating yesterday. He told me he had never seen an over 80 person that has the degree of flexibility I did during our skate.

I warm up then stretch primarily my groin muscle group by putting each leg, individually, parallel to the ice surface, much like doing the splits. Why? Because I have never quit any of my stretching exercises throughout my surgeries and 14 years of in and out of hospital illnesses.

My best to you,

hckynut 🥅🏒

Re: Spondylolisthesis

Marybella — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 23:38:05 GMT

@hckynutjohn Thank you for answering my question and for giving me more information. I appreciate it! Happy Thanksgiving!