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Classifying Spondylolisthesis

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Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra of the spine slips forward over the vertebra below it. Spondylolisthesis can be categorized as: congenital spondylolisthesis, which means the disorder is present at birth; isthmic spondylolisthesis, which occurs when a defect occurs in a supportive vertebral structure of the spine; and degenerative spondylolisthesis, which is more common and is frequently associated with degenerative disc disease, or DDD, where the intervertebral discs lose hydration with age.

Development of Spondylolisthesis

The spinal column is exposed to directional pressures while it carries, absorbs, and also distributes most of the fat of the body throughout physical activities and during rest. To put it differently, while the spine is consuming and carrying body fat, additionally, it moves in different directions (e.g., rotate, bend forwards ). This mixture of functions causes unnecessary stress to be placed onto the vertebra and the supportive vertebral structures of the spine, and it might result in one of these slipping forwards over the ones beneath it, ultimately developing into spondylolisthesis.

Grading spondylolisthesis

Doctors “grade” the severity of spondylolisthesis utilizing five descriptive categories. Even though there are several factors your physician notes when evaluating your spondylolisthesis, the grading scale (below) relies on how far forward a vertebral body has slid over the vertebra beneath it. Often, the doctor uses a lateral (side view) x-ray to examine and grade spondylolisthesis. Grade I is a smaller slide than Grade IV or V.

  • Grade I: Less than 25% slip
  • Grade II: 25% to 49% slip.
  • Grade III: 50% to 74% slip.
  • Grade IV: 75% to 99% slip.
  • Grade V: The vertebra has fallen forward off the vertebra below it. This grade is the most severe type of spondylolisthesis and is medically referred to as spondyloptosis.

Who Might be at Risk

If a family member has spondylolisthesis, your risk for developing the disorder may be higher. Also, some physical activities can make you more vulnerable to developing spondylolisthesis. Gymnasts, linemen in football, and weightlifters, all put pressure and stress on their spine. Picture the movements gymnasts perform on a regular basis: they bend backward and twist through the air, landing quickly and absorbing the impact through their legs and back. Those motions can place strain on the spine, potentially causing spondylolisthesis. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, spinal injuries, and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .

Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez

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Additional Topics: Scoliosis Pain and Chiropractic

The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, other aggravated conditions can also cause back pain. Scoliosis is a well-known, health issue characterized by an abnormal curvature of the spine and it is subcategorized by cause as a secondary condition, idiopathic, or of unknown cause, or congenital. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain associated with scoliosis through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief. Chiropractic care can help restore the normal curvature of the spine.

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Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Classifying Spondylolisthesis" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

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We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

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License Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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