Spondylolisthesis is a condition that causes the spinal bones in your lower back to begin to slip forward. The most common cause of spondylolisthesis is some sort of traumatic injury to the spine. The most common way that doctors diagnose spondylolisthesis is through a physical examination and an X-ray. Treatment may be done using physical therapy, surgery, or a combination of the two.
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is a common symptom of spondylolisthesis. The pain will originate in the lower back and may remain there for as long as you suffer from the condition. In some cases the pain may feel as though it has moved to your thighs or possibly into your buttocks. You may experience stiffness in your back or legs to go along with this pain. This lower back pain may be most intense immediately after physical activity, and you may notice that it disappears when you sit as opposed to standing or lying down.
Hamstring Symptoms
Another common symptom of spondylolisthesis is a feeling of tightness in the muscles in the back of your legs. It may feel like your hamstring is tightened up, and it can make moving difficult and painful.
Weakness
As a result of spondylolisthesis you may begin to experience a tingling sensation in one or both of your legs. This tingling sensation, if allowed to persist without treatment, may turn into a numbness in the affected leg or legs over time. You may notice that your legs will begin to feel weak, and at some point it may feel as though your legs are no longer able to support your body weight.
Bowel Symptoms
It is possible that you may experience bowel symptoms associated with spondylolisthesis. You may begin to experience a lack of control over your bowels, and your bowel movements may become less predictable. As the condition continues to advance you may continue to lose more control over your bowel functions.
Walking
Over time spondylolisthesis may start to cause you to develop a different walk. As your lower back continues to move forward, your abdominal region may begin to protrude outwards. This will cause your gait to change and resemble more of a waddle than your standard walk. This will make your body begin to appear shorter, and if it persists without treatment it is possible that you will begin to experience severe muscle spasms in your lower back. Over time it may be painful and difficult for you to walk for any distance.
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