Individuals who have experienced spinal or back trauma, suffered fractures, are going through spinal degeneration, or are dealing with a spinal condition have an increased risk of anterolisthesis, where a vertebra slips forward relative to the vertebra below it. Can healthcare providers help prevent and treat the condition?
Table of Contents
The spine consists of 33 individual bones or vertebrae stacked on one another. Anterolisthesis occurs when one vertebral segment slips forward over another. The condition can be mild, asymptomatic, or cause significant pain and neurological symptoms. Many different things, including osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, trauma, or a fracture, can cause this vertebral shifting. (Cedars Sinai, 2022) Spondylolisthesis is a general term for shifting a spinal vertebra over the one below it. It includes anterolisthesis, forward moving, and the less common retrolisthesis, or backward shifting.
Anterolisthesis is typically graded using the Meyerding scale, which assigns one of five grades according to how much slippage has occurred. These grades include:
Grade 1 and 2 cases are generally mild, while grades 3, 4, and 5 are more severe. (Koslosky E., and Gendelberg D. 2020)
Anterolisthesis can lead to various symptoms, depending on the severity and if the surrounding spinal nerves have been affected. The most common complaints include:
Cases of anterolisthesis are also typically categorized based on what led to the condition. The most common causes include:
Diagnosis begins with a subjective evaluation and a physical examination. During these, the healthcare provider will assess sensation, strength, and reflexes and will order one of several diagnostic tests, including:
Several factors determine how the condition is treated, including:
Stable and mildly symptomatic cases are usually treated with a combination that can involve:
In more severe cases in which spinal instability or significant neurological symptoms are present, surgery may be recommended. This commonly involves a spinal decompression or fusion procedure. The technique varies based on the surgeon’s preferences and anatomy. (Koslosky E., and Gendelberg D. 2020)
Most individuals with this condition don’t know they have it until it is found accidentally on an X-ray or an MRI for something else. Mild cases can cause minimal symptoms and can be well-managed with conservative treatments. Cases of unstable anterolisthesis or those with neurological compression often require surgical intervention. These surgeries restore stability to the spine and alleviate any pressure on the nerves. More than 85% of individuals who need surgery have a successful outcome. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
For individuals experiencing pain, numbness, or tingling from anterolisthesis, getting symptoms evaluated by a healthcare provider is an important first step. The healthcare provider may suggest one of several management strategies, which include:
At Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic, our areas of practice include Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Wellness & Nutrition, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain and restore function. If other treatment is needed, individuals will be referred to a clinic or physician best suited to their injury, condition, and/or ailment.
Cedars Sinai. (2022). Anterolisthesis. www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/a/anterolisthesis.html
Koslosky, E., & Gendelberg, D. (2020). Classification in Brief: The Meyerding Classification System of Spondylolisthesis. Clinical orthopaedics and related research, 478(5), 1125–1130. doi.org/10.1097/CORR.0000000000001153
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2021). Adult spondylolisthesis in the low back. orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/adult-spondylolisthesis-in-the-low-back
Hospital for Special Surgery. (2023). Spondylolisthesis. www.hss.edu/condition-list_spondylolisthesis.asp
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The information herein on "A Comprehensive Guide to Anterolisthesis and its Implications" 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.
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