i got diagnosed with spondylolisthesis any treatment othar than surgery ?

Question

Hello,

I have been having low back pain for the past 3 years and finally decided to check whats the problem. Went to and orthopedic and had Xrays + MRI taken and here are the results.

                                                    MRI OF THE LUMBAR SPINE
Technique:

Sagittal T1 and T2 WIs. 
Axial T1 and T2 WIs. 
MR myelography.

Findings:
Forward slipping of L5 over S1 secondary to bilateral L5 pars defect (1st degree spondylolisthesis). 
Mild L5/S1 disc degeneration with posterior pseudo-bulge. There is no thecal sac compression or neural foraminal stenosis. 
Normal dimensions of the spinal canal. 
Normal conus medullaris and cauda equina. 
Normal bone marrow signal.

Conclusion:
1st degree lytic spondylolisthesis of L5.

please help the doctors wants to put screws in my lower back -_- thats scary.... iam only 21yrs old...
is there any other way to treat this problem ?

Regards.

squirtatious · Accepted Answer

More important is ur symptoms or pain, what kind, what levels u experience, and if ur having any leg pain, weakness, numbing, or tingling. U have no foraminal stenosis which is great, no nerve root compression. I'd be asking why your dr wants to do something as agressive as back surgery without first having tried every conservative, non-invasive method first. I have a grade 2 spondylolisthesis with bilateral pars fractures at the same level u do. I also had severe bilateral foraminal stenosis which resulted in significant bilateral root nerve compression at this level. I tried for almost a year every conservative method first from chiropractic care, physical therapy, spinal injections, foot zoning, essential oils, etc b4 I had my surgery. You have bilateral pars defects with a grade 1 spondylolisthesis. I'd get a second and third opinion before jumping into surgery!!!! Keep me posted, take care:)

crashjr · Answer

I am 37 and I have the same condition and my doctor suggested physical therapy along with steroid injections via epidural injection. The physical therapy was easy and worked. The injections have been working great also. I would suggest this route before surgery.

confused169 · Answer

I was dignoised with Bilateral pars defect L5-S1 with 1st degree spondylolisthesis. an have beeen told by my doc. that i would lose controle of walkin. an i have seen 3 surgeons the last told me 50/50 percent that it would work that i have waited to long first found 5yrs. ago. an i have PAD blockage goin down fronts of legs. they have me on strong pain meds but they dont seem to wrk any more an i dont want to have to take stronger to get relief. im 42 have 13yr old an 12yr old plus i take care of my 74yr old mother. i keep prayin cause i know God doesnt want to see me thisway.

squirtatious · Answer

Thanks sam, I look forward to hearing how it went, good luck:)

sam7759 · Answer

Thanks a lot squirtatious. i booked an appointment with a neurosurgeon on saturday. will post back after the appointment.

squirtatious · Answer

Sam, I'm no dr I just speak from my own personal experience. If I had been your dr, id say u were NOT a surgery canidate at this time based upon ur mri and presented symptoms. I don't know ur dr, but unless ur back is unstable, id really questiopn why ur dr is pushing so early for a surgery that isn't necessary at this time. Plzkeep me posted on how ur doing, greatest blessings to you!

sam7759 · Answer

Thanks for the reply. The pain is 4 from a 1-10 scale. no leg pain,numbing, or tingling.

scd126 · Answer

Gosh.....I don't know anything about that.  I am new to this whole deal and just got my bad cervical MRI about two weeks ago.....

All I can say is listen to people.......a lot of them have very practical advice......but use your head.....then talk to a couple of doctors and get different opinions......and have one or both of them really sit down and tell you and show you what the problem is.....and what the solutions are......don't rush into anything until you are really comfortable with the decision you have made.

sam7759 · Answer

Some one ? ill be grateful...

i got diagnosed with spondylolisthesis any treatment othar than surgery ?

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please can somebody tell me what this report says in layman's term

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