Spondylothesis?

Question

What is the best way to releieve pain for spondylothesis other the streching and being hunched over? That only helps while you doing it and I am taking motrions and not seem to have had any luck with it. I am in the final stages and the doctors are saying that I will probably be facing back surgery in the next few years.

Answer 1

There should be restriction of heavy lifting, excessive bending, twisting or stooping and avoidance of any work or recreational activities that causes stress to the lumbar spine. Your physician will outline a rehabilitation program to return you to your activities as soon as possible.

It is in your best interest to closely follow the activity program as outlined by your physician, nurse, or therapist to restore your best level of functioning as soon as possible. If your work requires heavy lifting, bending, or stooping, you will not be able to return to that type of work immediately. Specific work restrictions should be discussed with your employer so that a less demanding job may be found for you.

Remember, participating in daily activities are important to both your long-term physical and emotional well-being. While you may not be allowed to participate in some of your favorite sports activities, your physician, nurse, or therapist can help you identify activities that you can participate in, such as swimming, walking in water (i.e., hydro-therapy), and land walking, in addition to your physical therapy program.

When moderate symptoms are present, immobilization of the spine in a flexed position - by means of a plaster cast extending from the lower part of the thighs to above the costal margins - will relieve most of the acute pain. The cast should be followed by a back brace. In the milder cases an ambulatory plaster jacket or brace, together with exercises to decrease pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis may be adequate treatment. The majority of cases of spondylolisthesis can be treated by conservative means of this type.

In patients whose pain has continued despite conservative treatment and in children with severe or progressive slipping, surgical fusion of the last two lumbar vertebrae to the sacrum is indicated. The functional results after successful fusion are usually satisfactory. In the rare cases with evidence of pressure on the cauda equina, laminectomy may be carried out.

I've outlined most of what is recommended for this condition. You can also try using a heating pad for twenty minutes followed by an ice pack for ten minutes. Another aid would be getting massage therapy. That would probably reduce your pain tremendously. Ask your medical doctor for better medication to help you deal with the pain.

I've enclosed a link where you can read more about this condition as well as the section on questions to ask your doctor.

Answer 2

Do you have spondylolisthesis (forward slipping of your vertebrae) or spondylolysis (stress fracture of the vertebrae). You could probably use a back brace to help. Also performing exercises to strengthen your core muscles (abdominals, etc.) is key to support your low back. If you have not been through physical therapy then you should.

Answer 3

Go to this website it is really helpful
http://www.spine.org/articles/exercises.cfm

They show you how to do some exercises that help you.