J
janetwilliams
Guest
I have grade 4 if spondylothesis. Is there anything to correct this? I went to have an adjustment at a chiropractor and he wouldn't do it because of this condition.
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S
SpineAZ
Guest
Thank goodness you went to a reputable chiropractor. The reason the chiropractor said he could not treat you is because spondylolisthesis is a significant abnormality if at grade 4. "spondylo" means spine and "listhesis" means slippage. So spondylolisthesis is the forward slip of one vertebra over another vertebra below it. This is usually found in the lurabar area of the spine. If the chiropractor was to adjust your back in any way it could result in permanent irreparable damage.
The severity of spondylolisthesis is measured in Grade, from grade 1 to grade 5. Each grade is measuring how much of a vertebra has slipped forward over the vertebra beneath it. Grade 1 is 25%. Grade 2 is 50%. Grade 3 is 75%. Grade 4 is 100%. Grade 5 is when the vertebra has fallen off totally.
At grade 4 you should only be treated by an orthopedic spine surgeon and/or neurosurgeon. You are in a position where the vertebrae neeRAB to be brought back into line with the normal spinal alignment and this is most commonly done via fusion surgery. I don't know if you'll find any that treat in Cedar RapiRAB but I know you can at the university hospital in Iowa City (that's where my spondylolisthesis was first diagnosed in 1986)
The severity of spondylolisthesis is measured in Grade, from grade 1 to grade 5. Each grade is measuring how much of a vertebra has slipped forward over the vertebra beneath it. Grade 1 is 25%. Grade 2 is 50%. Grade 3 is 75%. Grade 4 is 100%. Grade 5 is when the vertebra has fallen off totally.
At grade 4 you should only be treated by an orthopedic spine surgeon and/or neurosurgeon. You are in a position where the vertebrae neeRAB to be brought back into line with the normal spinal alignment and this is most commonly done via fusion surgery. I don't know if you'll find any that treat in Cedar RapiRAB but I know you can at the university hospital in Iowa City (that's where my spondylolisthesis was first diagnosed in 1986)
You are definitely going to need surgery. Your spine is too unstable for conservative treatments. I would schedule an appointment with a spine surgeon asap. I had spondylolisthesis and had it corrected with a fusion 8.5 months ago. Mine was not as bad as your is though. Are you in a lot of pain?
C
Cowpin8
Guest
SpineAZ:
You really seem to know your stuff! I know your probably not a doctor (or maybe you are?) but I want to tell you what my recent MRI of the Lurabar spine said. First of all, I had a Microdiskectomy and Laminectomy at the L4/5 level in Septeraber of 2001. The surgery went GREAT. It was a miracle. Now, here we are 8 years later and I have a 75-80% disc loss at the L5-L6 level. YES...I said L6 (the surgeon said it is VERY rare but some people have an L6 instead of an S1 vertebra.) I have pretty severe/debilitating and sudden lower back pain especially if I bend or lean forward. It also hurts if I sit in a regular chair for more than 5-10 minutes. What do you think?
By the way I also had ACDF of C5/6/7 with allograft and instrumentation in Noveraber of 2005. Oh yeah and also 3 hernia surgeries. All of my injuries are from weighlifting in the gym. I am a gym rat who forgets that I am 41 years old NOT 21 anymore.
Sincere Thanks, Joe.
You really seem to know your stuff! I know your probably not a doctor (or maybe you are?) but I want to tell you what my recent MRI of the Lurabar spine said. First of all, I had a Microdiskectomy and Laminectomy at the L4/5 level in Septeraber of 2001. The surgery went GREAT. It was a miracle. Now, here we are 8 years later and I have a 75-80% disc loss at the L5-L6 level. YES...I said L6 (the surgeon said it is VERY rare but some people have an L6 instead of an S1 vertebra.) I have pretty severe/debilitating and sudden lower back pain especially if I bend or lean forward. It also hurts if I sit in a regular chair for more than 5-10 minutes. What do you think?
By the way I also had ACDF of C5/6/7 with allograft and instrumentation in Noveraber of 2005. Oh yeah and also 3 hernia surgeries. All of my injuries are from weighlifting in the gym. I am a gym rat who forgets that I am 41 years old NOT 21 anymore.
Sincere Thanks, Joe.
S
SpineAZ
Guest
I wish I was a doctor, that was my goal earlier in life but alas it never happened. It's not unusual for an adjacent level (above or below) the area that was operated on to become compromised. It can be due to the increase in strain on those levels after another level is fixed (though more likely after a fusion) or if you are anything like me it's just bad spine luck. I tend to see more and more people who just have bad spines and things crop up as they get older. I have lax ligaments so joints all over my body tend to wear out though at 43 I still have my bad right knee and hope to put off a replacement for that until 50.
As for my spine I seek to stabilize any area that starts to show damage. I had some minor C4 disc problems when I had my C5-C7 ACDF and now I wish I had insisted he include C4 as I think that may be next after my upcoming L3-S1 fusion.
If you have any questions you ever want to run past me just let me know.
As for my spine I seek to stabilize any area that starts to show damage. I had some minor C4 disc problems when I had my C5-C7 ACDF and now I wish I had insisted he include C4 as I think that may be next after my upcoming L3-S1 fusion.
If you have any questions you ever want to run past me just let me know.