Brief Answer:
Anterolisthesis & Spondylosis

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Anterolisthesis refers to the condition of the spine in which the upper vertebra, slips forwards on to the lower vertebra.

The magnitude of slippage is graded from one to 1 to 4.
In grade 1 anterolisthesis, there is mild slippage that is less than 25%.
In grade 2 anterolisthesis, the slippage is more than 25% but less than 50%.
In grade III, the slippage is more than 50% but less that 75%.
In grade IV, the slippage is more than 75%; it may even be 100% in some cases and the symptoms are usually very severe in this grade.
The anterolisthesis causes severe pain at the point of vertebrae slippage. That pain may be localized or wide spread. The pain will keep on worsening because of the muscle sapasm.
The pain also may be experienced at one or both legs of the patient.
Some patients also complain of weakness of the legs and this may or may not be accompanied by numbness.
Patient may also have inability to control the passage of urine or bowel movements
Spondylosis is a term referring to degenerative osteoarthritis of the joints between the spinal vertebrae and/or neural foramina.
If severe, it may cause pressure on nerve roots with subsequent sensory and/or motor disturbances, such as pain, paresthesia, or muscle weakness in the limbs.

Treatment of Spondylosis is usually conservative in nature.
Patient education on lifestyle modifications and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physical therapy have been shown to manage such conditions
Many surgical procedures also have been developed to alleviate the signs and symptoms associated with spondylosis.

The surgery is indicated for treatment of severe anterolisthesis & is known as interbody fusion in which the patient’s vertebrae are fused together .
Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

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Brief Answer:
Follow-up query

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
The common conservative treatments for Anterolisthesis include:
Rest:

The anterolisthesis patient is put to bed rest. Note that this is not strict bed rest because there is need for some mild exercises of the spine and spinal cord. The patients are advised to avoid engaging in activities or events that may cause further slippage or straining of the vertebrae.

All patients suffering from anterolisthesis are advised to take several days off from work and then spend the following few days or weeks on bed rest that is in most cases coupled with mild exercises for anterolistheis.
The patient may undertake this treatment at home or at the hospital depending on the severity of the condition. If the patient is unable to control the urine and bowel movements as a result of the condition, he or she should seek advice on the diets to take and those to avoid.

Physical Therapies

This is in most cases accompanied by bed rest. The patient is put on physical therapies by well trained physiotherapists. It will in most cases involve exercises for anterolisthesis so as to improve the movement of the discs and relieve the pain. The physiotherapists will first assess the muscoskeletal dysfunctions before deciding on the best therapy.

The duration of therapy may take several weeks or months depending on the intensity and severity of anterolisthesis. It may involve postural training, heat massage, electronic simulation and various other non-invasive procedures that are aimed at reliving the pain. Back stretchers may also be used in the therapy.

The patient may also be given anti inflammatory medications either orally or through injection to prevent the inflammation. Pain killers are also given orally or through injections so as to alleviate the severe pain that characterizes anterolisthesis.
If these treatments do not work or they do not produce the worthwhile or expected results, the patient has no option but to undertake surgery.

Spondylosis : Treatment is usually conservative in nature. Patient education on lifestyle modifications and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physical therapy have been shown to manage such conditions[citation needed]. Other alternative therapies such as massage, trigger-point therapy, yoga and acupuncture may be of limited benefit[citation needed]. Surgery is occasionally performed.



Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

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Brief Answer:
Follow-up query

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
The surgeon can stabilize the fused vertebrae by fastening it with screws or other hardware.
There has been lot advancement regarding intervertebral body fusion e.g
implanting spinal cage after removing the disc that lies in between the vertebrae or use of an artificial bone to fill the space that used to be occupied by the disc that has been removed.
A patient is likely to be able to continue light jobs and pregnancy may not be a contraindication. However you need to consult a gynaecologist before conception.





Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

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