स्पॉन्डिलोलिस्थेसिस

• Standing lumbar X-rays including flexion and extension views, which show whether the slip moves and how far it has progressed.
• Lumbar MRI, with images on disc, to show the degree of nerve compression.
• A written account of leg pain, numbness or weakness, walking distance and any bladder or bowel changes.
• Details of physiotherapy, injections and pain medicines already tried and how long each was tried for.
• Your general fitness details, such as bone density results if available, smoking status and diabetes control.

1. What grade is my slip, is it stable, and is it likely to progress?
2. Is the main problem my back, or nerve pressure causing leg symptoms?
3. Would decompression alone work for me, or would a fusion be needed?
4. What non-surgical treatments are still worth trying, and for how long?
5. What are the realistic recovery milestones for returning to work and lifting?
6. What happens to the levels above and below a fusion over the years?

Many people with spondylolisthesis improve with exercise, activity changes and sometimes injections, and low-grade slips rarely progress in adults. Surgery is considered when leg pain, weakness or disabling symptoms persist. When fusion or decompression is done for the right reasons, most patients report clear relief of leg pain, with back pain relieved less predictably. Outcomes depend on slip grade, age, smoking and general health.