Treated conditions

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Definition and Etiology

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

Treated conditions

Spondylolisthesis and Vertebral Instability

Vertebral instability results from severe disc degeneration, causing micro/macro instability. Spondylolisthesis occurs when vertebrae slip over each other.

Symptoms

Chronic lower back pain with potential sporadic/recurrent joint lock episodes.

Diagnosis

Anamnesis, MRI, CT, and flexion-extension radiographs.

Treatment

Conservative treatment (medication, physical therapy); surgical stabilization with pedicle screws and intervertebral spacers for persistent symptoms.

In the micro-instability the degenerated disc causes micro-movements of the vertebrae that slide between each other, with consequent inflammation of the disc plate or of the vertebral joint and onset of back pain, but the spine maintains its correct alignment.
In the macro-instability of the spine loses its normal alignment and the vertebrae slip one over the other resulting in the condition defined as spondylolisthesis.
In case of severe instability, the surgical treatment consists in vertebral stabilization by means of pedicolare screws, which are inserted into the vertebral body. The heads of the pedicular screws are connected to each other by titanium bars.