The disease is most prone to lumbar and cervical parts because of their high mobility and regular collection of high loads. In addition, listes spine can be stable or unstable.
In the stable listesi the position of the human body in no way affects the displacement of the vertebrae. Accordingly, when unstable, prone to progression of spondylolisthesis the displacement of the vertebrae depends on the adoption of a person of a particular posture.
Listes vertebrae (spondylolisthesis of the spine) is the displacement of the body of one vertebrae relative to the subsequent (downstream). The pathology varies according to the bias direction: forward, sideways or backwards, and the degree of spinal deformity.
Causes
Depending on the causes of the pathology, it is divided into several types. If the cause of the disease is a congenital abnormality of development of a vertebra, it is about the dysplastic spondylolisthesis. Disease of this type is found in the lumbar spine, an irregular shape may have the leg of the vertebra or arc, struck one of the sacral vertebrae (even after fusion into a single bone) or the fifth lumbar vertebra.
Spondylolisthesis of the spine may be triggered by such diseases as osteochondrosis and arthritis of the joints of the spine. Disease of this type is more common in people aged when it is marked deformation of the intervertebral discs, their thinning. This degenerative spondylolisthesis is common in his age category disease. Do not forget about the likelihood of listesi patients suffering from various forms of ankylosing spondylitis (Bekhterev’s disease) – this is an autoimmune disease of the spine: this disease occurs often enough.If listed started because of excessive physical strain or back injuries, it istericeski spondylitis or spondylolisthesis.
The cause of the disease is irregular overgrowth of scar tissue in the damaged region, because of the unhealed fracture of the arch or pedicle. This disease is also more common in the lumbar spine.
There are cases when after injury of the spine, such as fracture of arch of feet or spine, or injuries facet of developing traumatic spondylolisthesis. If the cause of the disease – the modification of the bone due to tumors, we are talking about idiopathic spondylolisthesis.
Possible manifestations listesi
Often this disease is asymptomatic for long enough. People can for several years and not suspect that he had spondylolisthesis. If listes vertebrae occurs with symptoms, the most characteristic are a variety of pain. This pain is often nagging, may be given in a neighboring region in the pathology of the cervical – shoulders or even arms. The discomfort may be constant or to increase after exercise.
The displacement in the cervical region there is often strong headaches, migraine, unexplained dizziness. When the pain of this type often do not help ordinary painkillers. At serious stages of the disease may limit mobility in the spine, the feeling of stiffness.
Experienced professionals can put the diagnosis on a single view of the patient. Often even in the initial stages the torso is shortened, notable specific changes in gait, abdomen strongly protruding.
What research is needed to diagnose the displacement of the vertebrae?
The diagnosis of spondylolisthesis of the spine can be put under the examination by an orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon. The detailed story of the patient about your current symptoms, lifestyle and previously obtained injuries do much to clarify the situation. If the doctor is not confident in the accuracy of the diagnosis, you may need to conduct additional studies.
To diagnose the displacement of the vertebrae is used:
- the method of spondilography of the spine;
- dynamic x-rays of the spine;
- magnetic resonance and computed tomography of the spine.
For its authenticity and objectivity, all these modern methods of diagnostics are equal, the choice of the research done by the doctor depending on the availability at the clinic of the equipment and assumption of the diagnosis.
Treatment
The treatment of this disease should be aimed at eliminating symptoms and improving the quality of life of the patient. In parallel, steps should be taken to stabilize the spine and elimination of existing deformations. To eliminate discomfort during movement and relieve pain may be prescribed medication, but it must be remembered that no drug currently available that can not cure this disease. Sometimes used as manual therapy and massage, but in this case the optimal treatment strategy should be chosen by a qualified doctor, and be performed only by a massage therapist with a large experience in the treatment of diseases of the spine.
The classic method of correction of this pathology involves the strengthening of the muscular frame of the back and torso – the muscles creates the support necessary for proper support of the spine. This method of treatment involves mainly the use of special exercise, partly borrowed from the practice of medical physical culture. Patients should not activity any hazardous sports that involve excessive load on the spine in the vertical plane or threatened direct injury.
When serious deformities may be appointed as a temporary wearing the tight corset, but regularly walking in it is prohibited. The thing is that this device really sets back the correct position and providing support, but at the same time strengthening and developing the muscles does not occur.
If the disease is inflammation of adjacent tissues and organs or intervertebral discs, may prescription anti-inflammatory drugs.
Surgical method of treatment
Surgical intervention is carried out in case if patient was admitted to the hospital, having a running form of pathology, or previous conservative treatment did not bring the expected results. The main purpose of this method, the elimination of clamps of nerve endings and the return of the spine correctly position. Sometimes the surgery involves removal of the vertebral arch. Also common surgery to remove excess scar tissue, resulting in improper fusion of vertebral fractures.
For fastening of the received result of the period of rehabilitation after surgery can be assigned to therapeutic gymnastics, massage and the wearing fixing belts/corsets. Thus, depending on the type of disease and its causes in any treatment assigned to a patient can increase or decrease in physical activity.
Prevention of the disease
In order to reduce to a minimum the likelihood of deformities of the vertebrae, you should lead a moderately active lifestyle. It is recommended to avoid monotonous physical activities involving excessive stress on the back. At the same regular exercises for the muscles of the neck, back and abdominals need. Separately it is necessary to monitor the posture and gait, learning not only to move but to sit with a flat back. Preferably the restriction of any physical activity, which may be accompanied by hyperextension of the spine – that in these exercises the risk of complications is the largest.
Not superfluous to buy orthopedic mattress and pillow for correct body position during sleep. It is also important to monitor their well-being and the appearance of discomfort in the lumbar region or neck to promptly contact a doctor and undergo the necessary examination. Any disease of the spine, including spondylolisthesis, is much easier to cure in its early stages.
