What is lumbar spondylolisthesis?

Spondylolisthesis is a term referring to spinal instability, where bones within the spinal columns are prone to slide forward over the  vertebra below. The condition is often painful and can reduce general mobility and movement. The slippage often compresses nearby nerves.

There are several types of lumbar spondylolisthesis:

• Congenital spondylolisthesis(Type I)– occurs at childbirth, where the spine is misaligned and not fully formed, placing higher risk of slippage in adulthood
• Isthmic spondylolisthesis (Type II)– occurs as a result ofspondylosis, where the crack or fracture causes bone weakness
• Degenerative spondylolisthesis (Type III)– the most common, occurs due to aging, which in turn increases the likelihood of thinning discs prone to slippage
• Traumatic spondylolisthesis (Type IV)– caused by fractures in other parts of the spine (e.g.,facet joints), typically though trauma like a motor vehicle accident
• Pathological spondylolisthesis (Type V)– caused by a pathological disease (e.g., osteoporosis,osteoarthritis) or tumour
• Post-surgical spondylolisthesis (Type VI)– where slippage occurs due to spinal surgery
• Retrololistheis (Type VII)– thebackward slippage of vertebrae