Spinal Slippage (Spondylolisthesis):
What Should You Do When Your Spine Is Out of Alignment?
Although back pain is often confused with a herniated disc, sometimes the source of the problem is a structural misalignment of the spine. If you say, “My back hurts so much when I walk, it feels like it's going to break,” or “I can't straighten my back when I get up in the morning,” you may be experiencing a spinal misalignment. Known in medical terms as spondylolisthesis, this condition disrupts the biomechanics of the spine and must be taken seriously.
What is Spinal Subluxation?
Our spine has a regular structure, like Lego pieces stacked on top of each other. This structure allows us to carry our body weight in a balanced way. Slipped disc is a condition in which this structure is disrupted, causing one vertebra to shift forward or (rarely) backward relative to the vertebra below it.
When this slippage occurs, the spinal canal inside the spine narrows and the nerves become stretched. As a result, the spine's load-bearing capacity decreases and serious pressure is exerted on the nerve roots.
Bel Kayması Neden Olur?
We generally see cases of spinal displacement in two main groups:
Age-Related (Degenerative): It occurs as a result of the wear and tear of the discs and joints with advancing age, causing the ligaments supporting the spine to loosen. It is more common in women over the age of 40-50.
Developmental or Traumatic: Sometimes congenital bone structure abnormalities (lumbar spondylolysis) or severe accidents can cause the vertebrae to slip over each other.
What Are the Symptoms of Spinal Subluxation?
Although our patients usually come with complaints similar to those of a herniated disc, spinal slippage distinguishes itself with some specific symptoms:
Mechanical Back Pain: Severe back pain that increases with movement and decreases with rest.
Hamstring Tightness: Shortening of steps due to shortening and tightness in the muscles at the back of the legs (duck-like gait).
Hamstring Gerginliği: Bacakların arka kısmındaki kaslarda kısalma ve gerginlik nedeniyle adımların kısalması (Ördek vari yürüyüş).
Increased Lumbar Curvature: Excessive prominence of the curve in the lower back (lordosis).
Slipped Disc Treatment: Stabilizing the Spine
The treatment plan is determined based on the degree of the sprain (from Grade 1 to 4) and the patient's symptoms.
Non-Surgical Approaches
In mild dislocations (Grade 1), if there is no nerve damage, our priority is to relieve the patient:
Supporting the waist with a special corset.
Strengthen your back and abdominal muscles through physical therapy to reduce the load on your spine.
Pain management and injections.
Surgical Treatment (Stabilization)
If the spinal stenosis is progressive, the patient is unable to walk, and neurological deficits (loss of strength, loss of sensation) have begun, surgical intervention is required.
Our goal here is not only to relieve nerve pressure, but also to stabilize the slipping vertebrae. In the procedure known as Instrumentation and Fusion, commonly referred to as “plating,” the slipping vertebrae are fixed together using screws. This allows:
The pressure on the nerve is relieved.
Prevents the spine from slipping again.
The spine is restored to its former strength and balance.
Spondylolisthesis is a serious condition in which the static balance of the spine is disrupted, but it is not unsolvable. Thanks to advances in spinal surgery technology, slippage can be stopped, and our patients can confidently return to a pain-free, active life. If you feel this “imbalance” in your spine, seeking expert advice and taking early action is crucial for your future mobility.
