I was recently diagnosed with this less than fun spinal condition during a last ditch effort to ease my back pain. I'd been to massage therapists, yoga, acupuncturists, drug dealers, etc., and then a chiropractor found it on my X-ray. He wouldn't touch me and sent me to a spinal specialist. After a grim diagnosis upon seeing my MRI, Dr. Spine told me I'd be in for a spinal fusion in weeks if not days. I've apparently had the condition(now level 2-3) since my twenties and have had back pain since then. I'm now 52 and have enjoyed a rapid rise in multisport recently and didn't want to go under the knife and give up a year of sports. I asked for a hall pass to see a PT and then things turned for the better. It is nice to finally know what was the problem, and what to do to alleviate the pain. I've worked hard to improve my core strength and balance and after four weeks my pain has dropped off dramatically. I've been Nordic ski racing the last two weekends and have enjoyed some solid results. I realize that my running time may have to be modified, and I quit Yoga as extending your spine aggravates the nerve pinching.
Triathlon Forum
Login required to started new threads
Login required to post replies
Re: Spondylolisthesis...what did you do? [schubwa]
[ In reply to ]
You see Spondy in a lot of former women gymnasts and young male football players. It's almost a condition as a result of any physical pounding that the lower back takes. My wife has had it, and I ran her through a course of pain management and physical therapy with a doctor friend of mine. She's 100 percent better, now. A similar affliction is called Spondylisis
T.
T.
Re: Spondylolisthesis...what did you do? [schubwa]
[ In reply to ]
Hello Schubwa!
Spondylolisthesis is the forward displacement of a vertebra over a lower segment. It is most often seen at L4/L5.
Spondylolysis defines the breaking down of the vertebra and could refer to the fracture of the pars interarticularis between L4/L5.
In your case, since you have had the condition to one degree or another for three decades, I am not sure why Dr. Spine feels the sense of urgency. How were you diagnosed? X-ray or MR?
On x-ray, a lateral view would demonstrate Spondylolisthesis and probably allow grading 1-4, with 4 being most severe. However, to diagnose fracture and spondylolysis at the site, oblique views would be best used. Obliques might show a break in the 'neck' (pars) of the 'scotty dog' (portion of the vertabrae formed in that view) with a fresh fracture. It may also show a healed fracture from an old injury/trauma.
Fresh fracture means you need to follow a surgeon's advice closely.
A healed fracture, a structural anomaly, or degenerative causes, mean you may be able to treat the condition more aggressively and continue to train. However, there is a clear instability at the level.
As a chiropractor, I have sucessfully treated acute and chronic Spondylolisthesis many times over 23 years (after proper care via differential diagnosis, including x-ray and/or MR). Your KEY is to be sure that _you_ are properly differentially diagnosed so that you are able to make intelligent decisions along with your doctors.
My opinions are not meant to be part of that process. They serve only to let you know that this 'description' of your spine can manifest in a number of different ways at a number of different levels of severity. This condition is sometimes asymptomatic and found through a general examination the same way a dentist would find dental caries. Structural examination of the spine is a good idea for most of vets/masters athletes.
kp
Kevin Purcell DC
San Diego
Spondylolisthesis is the forward displacement of a vertebra over a lower segment. It is most often seen at L4/L5.
Spondylolysis defines the breaking down of the vertebra and could refer to the fracture of the pars interarticularis between L4/L5.
In your case, since you have had the condition to one degree or another for three decades, I am not sure why Dr. Spine feels the sense of urgency. How were you diagnosed? X-ray or MR?
On x-ray, a lateral view would demonstrate Spondylolisthesis and probably allow grading 1-4, with 4 being most severe. However, to diagnose fracture and spondylolysis at the site, oblique views would be best used. Obliques might show a break in the 'neck' (pars) of the 'scotty dog' (portion of the vertabrae formed in that view) with a fresh fracture. It may also show a healed fracture from an old injury/trauma.
Fresh fracture means you need to follow a surgeon's advice closely.
A healed fracture, a structural anomaly, or degenerative causes, mean you may be able to treat the condition more aggressively and continue to train. However, there is a clear instability at the level.
As a chiropractor, I have sucessfully treated acute and chronic Spondylolisthesis many times over 23 years (after proper care via differential diagnosis, including x-ray and/or MR). Your KEY is to be sure that _you_ are properly differentially diagnosed so that you are able to make intelligent decisions along with your doctors.
My opinions are not meant to be part of that process. They serve only to let you know that this 'description' of your spine can manifest in a number of different ways at a number of different levels of severity. This condition is sometimes asymptomatic and found through a general examination the same way a dentist would find dental caries. Structural examination of the spine is a good idea for most of vets/masters athletes.
kp
Kevin Purcell DC
San Diego
can you give me some ideas as to what you're doing? I got an overly arched back myself, tend to throw my knees back, and my docs all want me to work on this. did my first pilates class which felt like a step in the right direction. Breastroke and fly have never been my back's choice of strokes for this reason...thanks.