Lumbosacral Spine X-Ray

[PearlieAnn]

Please explain in layman's term what the results of my lumbosacral spine x-ray means.  I had this X-ray because I fell from our staircase at home.  

1.  Mild hypertrophic degenerative changes of the lumbar spine.
2.  Grade 1 retrolisthesis of L5 over S1.
3.  Straightening of the lumbar lordosis most likely secondary to muscle spasm.

Thanks,

Pearlie

[noneck]

I completely agree with mamaboulet. Physical Therapy is where I would start, find one with a cold laser machine they are very helpful and can relieve muscle spasms immediately. I would also try spinal decompression at a chiropractors office if the P.T. doesn't have one. The P.T. will have traction which is spinal decompression, but the chiros. have a computerized decompression machine and can be very helpful and could reverse the condition if caught early enough.

Hope I Help

[mamaboulet]

I looked up the two fancy words in your report on Wikipedia. The hypertrophic change means that you have some degenerative enlargement in the lumbar area. Retrolisthesis is a posterior displacement of one vertebrae over another,  due to injury, and may be accompanied by muscle spasms. The lordosis is about spine curvature, and muscle spasm tends to straighten the curvature.
My layman's take on your xray would be mild degenerative changes of your lower spine, which often results from retrolisthesis. Your retrolisthesis is the lowest grade. So you have MILD degeneration and LOW GRADE retrolisthesis. I don't know what is usually done in this case, but I suspect they will want you to have some PT to stretch and strengthen the associated muscles.