Spondylolisthesis
Overview
Spondylolisthesis is where one of the bones in your spine, called a vertebra, slips forward. It can be painful, but there are treatments that can help.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of spondylolisthesis include: pain in your lower back, often worse when standing or walking and relieved when sitting or bending forwardpain spreading to your bottom or thighstight hamstrings (the muscles in the back of your thighs)pain, numbness or tingling spreading from your lower back down 1 leg (sciatica) Spondylolisthesis does not always cause symptoms.
Causes
Spondylolisthesis can: happen as you get older – the bones of the spine can weaken with agerun in familiesbe caused by a tiny crack in a bone (stress fracture) – this is more common in athletes and gymnasts
Treatment
Treatments for spondylolisthesis depend on the symptoms you have and how severe they are. Common treatments include: avoiding activities that make symptoms worse, such as bending, lifting, athletics and gymnasticstaking anti-inflammatory painkillers such asibuprofenor stronger painkillers on prescriptionsteroid injections in your back to relieve pain, numbness and tingling in your legphysiotherapy to strengthen and stretch the muscles in your lower back, tummy and legs The GP may refer you to a physiotherapist, or you can refer yourself in some areas. Waiting times for physiotherapy on the NHS can be long. You can also get it privately.