Description

What is Spondylolisthesis/ slipped spine/ gap in spine? This term is used for a condition of spine in which one of the bone slips over another bone of spine as shown in the picture. When patient is at rest the spine remains in position so there is no pain. Whenever patient stands or walks in this disease, due to the weight of the body the spine slips and patient feels severe back pain due to movement of the bones. This movement also causes traction and pinch on the nerves within spine leading to severe radiating pain (sciatica) down the leg. Therefore patient gradually losses mobility. In the end stage patient develops weakness in leg. What is treatment? This is mechanical problem of spine. This condition can be initially managed with medication and exercises till the pain is not severe. Modern technology has become so advance that we are able to mobilise these patients pain-free on the same day after a minimally invasive surgery. In this surgery we reduce the bones in the normal position and fix them up with screws(TLIF) so they no longer move whenever patient stands or walks. When bones of spine dont move patient gets relief in both back pain and sciatica pain. When patient becomes independent after the surgery? We make the patient sit, stand and walk on the day of the surgery or the very next day. Patient becomes independent from next day or second day varying patient to patient basis.