Training exercises | Spondylolisthesis

Training exercises

In most cases, spondylolisthesis does not cause any symptoms. It is asymptomatic and therefore many sufferers do not even notice it. However, some people suffer from pain and other complaints in the course of their spondylolisthesis.

In the case of a mild spondylolisthesis, it is recommended to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles through specific exercises. A few exercises are explained here as examples: 1st exercise: lie flat on your stomach. Tense your abdomen and back.

Now lift the upper body slightly. The view points down. Hold these positions for 10 to 15 seconds with arms stretched out forward.

If you want to intensify the exercise, paddle with your arms in alternation. Repeat the exercise about 10 times. 2nd exercise: Lie with your back on the floor.

Now grasp your knees with your arms and pull your chin towards your chest. Sway back and forth and back and forth about 15 times. You can repeat these exercises 3 to 5 times.

3rd exercise: Lie down with your back on the floor. Now put your legs up. Place your arms next to your body.

Now lift your pelvis and keep your shoulders and head on the floor. Your body (shoulder, pelvis and knees) forms a line. Hold this position for about 10 to 15 seconds.

Then put the pelvis down again. Do 5 to 10 repetitions. 4th exercise: Come into the side position.

Now support yourself on your right forearm. The legs are stretched over each other and the pelvis is raised. Legs and torso now form a line.

Tense stomach and back. Hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds. Afterwards, change sides. Do 10 to 15 repetitions per side.

Operation (Spondylodesis)

Surgery is always the last option to be considered if previous attempts at therapy have failed or were not even considered. It is particularly worth considering if the pain cannot be controlled conservatively, if spondylolisthesis increases rapidly within a short period of time or if nerves are affected.This can manifest itself as pain in urinary retention or fecal incontinence, or even muscle loss. Here, an attempt is made to return the vertebral body to its physiological position and stiffen it, which is known as spondylodesis.

In the best case, this can restore the spinal column to its full capacity. At the beginning of the operation, two accesses to the spine are usually created; one anterior (ventral) and one posterior (dorsal). Once the accesses are created, screws are inserted into the affected and adjacent vertebral bodies and connected with rods or metal plates.

Sometimes additional bone chips are inserted into the space between the vertebrae. Likewise, special titanium cages can be inserted into the intervertebral space to support bony healing. After the operation, a control x-ray is taken.

Once all vertebrae have grown together, the spondylodesis material can be removed again in a further operation. The surgical technique of spondylodesis leads to a complete, irreversible loss of mobility in this area, depending on the length of the treated spinal segment, although the spinal column is fully resilient. In principle, there is also a risk of nerve damage and the formation of scars, which can sometimes cause very severe pain. These two complications are commonly called Failed back surgery syndrome.