Diseases

The vertebral bones that make up the spine are arranged one on top of the other in every healthy person. Each edge of the vertebrae is exactly in line with the previous and next vertebra. Increasing the durability and flexibility of this regular alignment between the vertebrae; disc and facet joints that give mobility to the spine. The tissues in the anterior part of the vertebrae are called discs, and those located in the posterior part are called facet joints. This ligament structure acts as a small bridge or cushion between the bones. The vertebrae extending from the head to the coccyx allow the person to stand in a balanced way, while also protecting the spinal cord. However, in the presence of a condition known as spondylolisthesis in medicine and popularly known as lumbar sprain, one of the vertebrae moves forward and displaces and disrupts the order in the vertebral alignment. Due to this sliding movement of the vertebrae, the spinal cord passing through the spine is compressed and pressure on the nerve root occurs. Waist slippage, which causes complaints such as pain, burning and numbness in the waist, hips and both legs, can lead to much more serious problems depending on the severity of the slip movement. There are many different causes of waist slippage. Factors such as trauma, degeneration or, in other words, advanced age-related abrasion, congenital anomaly, infection, surgical intervention and tumor play a role in the formation of spondylolisthesis. Lumbar slippage is usually caused by the forward movement of two vertebrae located just above the sacrum, defined as L4 and L5. Before moving on to the diagnosis and treatment methods of lumbar sprain, it is necessary to understand what lumbar slippage is.

 

Lumbar slippage is a discomfort that occurs when the spine bones slide forward or backward due to different reasons. Normally, the vertebrae are arranged in an order on top of each other and are connected to each other by the joints and connective tissues between them. The anterior part of these tissues located between each vertebra is called the disc, and the posterior part is called the facet joint. In the presence of lumbar slippage, which is defined as spondylolisthesis, one of the vertebrae moves forward or backward. Due to this sliding movement, the tissues between the vertebrae, the spinal cord and nerves inside the vertebrae are compressed. Thus, neurological symptoms such as pain, tingling, burning and numbness in the hips, legs and toes, especially low back pain occur. Approximately 10% of those who apply to the doctor with the complaint of low back pain are diagnosed with low back pain as a result of the examinations and tests. Waist slippage, which is more common in women than in men, is structurally completely different from each other, although it has similar symptoms to a herniated disc. In lumbar hernia, the disc and facet joints between the vertebrae are compressed and protrude through the vertebrae. In cases of lumbar slippage, the vertebrae move and press on the spinal cord and nerves. However, in some cases, both disorders can occur simultaneously. The cases of lumbar slippage are mostly seen due to genetic predisposition, age, lifestyle and accidents. Although the first and most important finding is low back pain, some patients may not have low back pain. Complaints can only be seen when bending over, standing up, sitting and getting out of bed. The symptoms of lumbar sprain continue as long as the discomfort is not treated, and often an increase in symptoms is observed. When a person applies to the doctor with a complaint of low back pain, the physician first listens to the patient's history in detail. Then, a physical examination is performed and the physician requests radiological imaging as an additional examination when deemed necessary. As a result of the evaluation, the diagnosis of lumbar slippage is made. Treatment is arranged according to the severity of the waist slip. This treatment can be surgical intervention, physical therapy and rehabilitation program or medication.

 

What are the types of waist slippage?

Types of lumbar shift can be examined in two separate groups as congenital or acquired. In cases of congenital lumbar deviation defined as congenital spondylolisthesis, the vertebrae are seen due to developmental disorders. Congenital spondylolisthesis, which is frequently seen between the L5 and S1 vertebrae, is twice as common in women as in men, but only 5% of all lumbar slippage is congenital. Although this disorder, which is caused by the weak connection between the two vertebrae, causes pain in adolescence, which is defined as adolescence, it may not be a serious problem in adulthood. In severe cases, symptoms such as severe pain, paralysis in the arms and legs, and urinary incontinence can be seen. Some of the common types of waist slippage are listed below:

 

Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: It occurs with the progression of age, with the sliding of the existing tissues in and around the spine. The wear and tear of the spine and connective tissues surrounding the spine due to aging is especially seen in people aged 40 and over. Degenerative spondylolisthesis oTheir cases are usually accompanied by narrow channel disease. In addition to low back and leg pain, symptoms such as numbness and weakness in the legs, difficulty in walking, increase in waist slope are among the most common complaints in this ailment. An increase in complaints may be observed during physical activities such as standing and walking.

Spondylolysis: Fracture occurs due to overloading the lumbar region, which is more mobile than the upper part of the body. In the presence of this condition, which is also known as a stress fracture, the upper vertebra slides downward. The first symptom in cases of lumbar slippage due to stress fracture that does not show any symptoms during rest is low back and hip pain. In some cases, symptoms such as a feeling of tightness in the muscles, weakness, numbness in the legs and difficulty walking can be seen. However, stress fractures, which usually do not show any clinical symptoms, are usually seen during radiological imaging performed for different reasons.

Traumatic Spondylolisthesis: In cases of acute traumatic spondylolisthesis due to accidents, pain increases while standing and with movement. The severity of the pain in the trauma area and the other neurological symptoms it shows vary according to the extent of the trauma. The cause of pain is mostly seen as the degeneration of the discs between the vertebrae, or in other words, the dysfunction of the disc structure due to deterioration. Another reason is facet arthrosis, which is caused by the fragmentation of the facet joint between the vertebrae by exposure to trauma.

How is lumbar slippage treated?

When the patient applies to the physician with the complaint of low back pain, a detailed anamnesis is taken and then a physical examination is performed. Lumbar slippage is diagnosed by radiological imaging performed at the request of the physician. Treatment is arranged according to the type of lumbar slip and complaints. In some cases, rest or exercise programs that strengthen the abdominal and back muscles may be sufficient for treatment. Depending on the severity of the lower back slippage, the physician may suggest that a special program be created for him by directing the patient to the physical therapy and rehabilitation department. Medication is another option. In advanced cases, surgical operation is required to restore the spine to its former structure. Thanks to the operation performed for the treatment of lumbar sprain, the nerves that are suppressed and causing lumbar slippage complaints are relieved and the spine is fixed. If you have low back pain complaints, do not neglect to have your health checks.