OTHER CAUSES OF BACK PAIN – SPONDYLOLISTHESIS or SPONDYLOLYSIS…
Posted Jan 23 2012 4:50pm
Back pain can result from other changes in the bone itself. One of the conditions is ‘Spondylolisthesis’, is a condition in which one vertebra slips forward or backward on top of another.
Forward slippage of one vertebra on another is referred to as anterolisthesis, while backward slippage is referred to as retrolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis can lead to a deformity of the spine as well as a narrowing of the spinal canal (central spinal stenosis) or compression of the exiting nerve roots (foraminal stenosis).
This then narrows the spinal canal through which the spinal cord passes and then presses on spinal nerves.
It may be the result of a trauma, a spinal fracture or arthritis. The symptoms are mild low back pain, muscle spasm and sciatica but it can also produce no symptoms at all.
Another condition with a very similar name is ‘Spondylolysis’, which is a where there is a break or a separation of a vertebral bone. This can occur due to an injury or as a result of long term stress on the bone.
The portion of the vertebra that is affected in spondylolysis is a bone segment called the pars interarticularis (which is part of a plate which is located, in technical terms, between the superior and inferior articular processes of a lumbar vertebra).
Back pain can result from other changes in the bone itself. One of the conditions is ‘Spondylolisthesis’, is a condition in which one vertebra slips forward or backward on top of another.
Forward slippage of one vertebra on another is referred to as anterolisthesis, while backward slippage is referred to as retrolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis can lead to a deformity of the spine as well as a narrowing of the spinal canal (central spinal stenosis) or compression of the exiting nerve roots (foraminal stenosis).
This then narrows the spinal canal through which the spinal cord passes and then presses on spinal nerves.
It may be the result of a trauma, a spinal fracture or arthritis. The symptoms are mild low back pain, muscle spasm and sciatica but it can also produce no symptoms at all.
Another condition with a very similar name is ‘Spondylolysis’, which is a where there is a break or a separation of a vertebral bone. This can occur due to an injury or as a result of long term stress on the bone.
The portion of the vertebra that is affected in spondylolysis is a bone segment called the pars interarticularis (which is part of a plate which is located, in technical terms, between the superior and inferior articular processes of a lumbar vertebra).