spondylolisthesis experiences

[Punkinhead75]

Hi folks.  I have recently been diagnosed with a grade 2 spondylolisthesis and a herniated disc at L5-S1.  My chiropractor is going to do IDD Therapy which decompresses the disc and stretches the spine.  He says the spondy will hopefully drop back into place and the herniation should be fixed.  I have also talked to an orthopedic dr. and he chose to monitor my symptoms and talk about surgery at my next visit.  He also told me to go to physical therapy.  Has anybody had any experience with spondylo's?  I'm interested in hearing about anything.  Thanks for your help!!!!!!!

[Punkinhead75]

Good to hear from you.  I hope things go well for you.!!!!!!

[chiclette]

Hi there, I have recently been diagnosed with spondy at L3/4 with degenerative disc , moderate nerve compression, and bone spurs. I have tried physio (4 months), cortisone injections into the spinal nerves.  The surgeon is only giving me a 50% so I am now trying a chiropractor. It is all very frustrating but I want to make sure that I have tried everything before having surgery..I also do ice (helps the inflamation) and some core strenthening exercises...I have been told no heavy lifting, reaching or arching back wards.

[Punkinhead75]

Hi Kalvin,  I get a burning sensation in my low back which radiates out towards my right side.  I also get numbness in my right leg.  Both the numbness and burning get worse the longer I am upright.  Sometimes I have trouble with my psoas muscle getting tight which pulls on my vertebrea and can cause some pain.  Usually I can stretch it and get some relief.  I can move around a lot and am doing a lot of exercise right now.  I'm currently out of work but expected to go back in a couple weeks.  Gonna stick with the decompression therapy and core stability exercises and see how that goes.  It has worked in the past.  I used to have a herniated disc at L4-L5 but that is now gone and doing well considering my L4 vertebrea is beating it up pretty good.  

I really appreciate hearing from you and am glad you are doing well.  Getting doctors to let you talk to other patients, especially patients who have had trouble, is not easy.  Thanks again!!!!

[Punkinhead75]

Thanks for your response.  Please tell me more about the fusion.  Why/when did you get it, the recovery process,  and how are you doing now?  Hope all is well with you and best of luck.

[Kalvin]

I don't have spondylolisthesis, but I've had every other type of back problem. Grade 2's usually respond well to conservative treatment, make sure you give it it enough time, before you start talking surgery. I know some of them are done through the back, that's how I had my fusion, it's a rough recovery.