Blaming back pain on an old sports injury is a TV cliche. But in the case of spondylolisthesis, you might be right. Have you been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis, or are you feeling the pain from an old injury to your spine? You need Hoag Spine Institute. With our whole-patient approach, Hoag Spine Institute's team of fellowship-trained physicians, therapists and pain management specialists are committed to the non-invasive techniques that lead to real and lasting recovery from back pain. So don't wait. Get the diagnosis and treatment that could change everything for you. Hoag can help.
Spondylolisthesis is a disorder involving a vertebra that slips over the bone below it. It typically results from stress fractures or cracks that occur in one of the spinal column. If the affected area doesn’t heal correctly, there is a chance that continued stress can lead to the further slippage of the impacted vertebrae and recurrent low back pain. The condition can also cause spinal deformity and back or sciatic nerve pain and weakness that limits a person’s activity level.
A doctor will go over your medical history, perform a physical exam, and will likely request an X-ray. X-rays are often all that are needed to diagnose a pars defect or forward slip of a vertebra. However, sometimes bone scans and computerized tomography (CT) scans are preferred.
Spondylolysis is a condition relatively common in children and young adults (typically 10- to 15-year-olds) who participate in sports where there is repetitive stress on the lower back, such as football, weightlifting, and gymnastics. For spondylolysis, genetics may put some people at increased risk.
You don’t have to hurt. When you need spine care in Orange County, trust Hoag. At Hoag, our fellowship-trained team of spine specialists is here to help get you back to doing the things that matter most. We’re committed to treating you like a person, not a chart. Hoag provides the latest technology and treatments, with minimally-invasive techniques designed to help you recover quicker with less pain. Meet the Hoag Spine Center Team.
Treatment for spondylolisthesis will depend on the severity of the vertebra shift, but most improve with non-surgical treatment. Surgery may be used to treat severe grades of slippage or patients who do not find pain relief or improved motion through non-surgical treatment.
When your spine is on the line, trust Hoag for spine surgery. Hoag was the first hospital on the West Coast to offer the Mazor X Stealth™ advanced robotic navigation platform for spinal surgery. Combining 3D pre-operative planning tools with robotic precision, the system provides surgeons with advanced visualization of your body’s unique internal structures, and you with the great chance to come back strong from back surgery. Learn more about advanced robotic surgery at Hoag.
There’s a reason why U.S. News and World Report’s 2022-2023 list of top hospitals ranked Hoag as High Performing — their top distinction — in neurology, neurosurgery and spinal fusion. A higher standard of care. Accurate diagnosis for more successful treatment. A multidisciplinary team of spine-care specialists who are committed to seeing you heal. That’s spinal care at Hoag. Read an essay about a real Hoag patient’s spine-care journey.
Facing a health issue that could involve surgery can be confusing for anyone. That’s why the Hoag Spine Center offers our unique Nurse Navigator program. These trained nurses are there for you, both as a guide and a resource for medically-accurate information about your unique diagnosis. It’s one more way Hoag is here for you through your journey as a patient, every step of the way. Get started with our spine nurse navigator.