Spondylolisthesis Treatment and Spondylolysis Treatment
Spondylolysis is a condition in which you have a defect in the pars interarticularis (usually a stress fracture). Usually, this condition may lead to spondylolisthesis, which is when one of your bones in your vertebra slides forward over the bone next to it. Spondylolisthesis is divided into 5 different grades depending on the degree of the slip in the bone: grade I, grade II, grade III, grade IV, and grade V.
Both can cause pain in the back or neck (depending upon where the damage is) as well as weakness, numbness, tingling and radiating pain if either of these conditions put pressure on the nerves of the spine. Stress fracture induced spondylolisthesis is known as isthmic spondylolisthesis.
Most instances of spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis are in the low back, in the fifth or fourth lumbar vertebrae (L5 or L4), as this area of the back is subject to a high amount of stress. Especially if you’re involved in sports requiring frequent hyperextension of the back or impact, such as gymnastics, football or tennis.
Luckily, treatment for spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis usually begins with conservative methods that focus on stabilizing the spine. In some instances, a spondylolysis brace or a spondylolisthesis brace may be employed to this end, and the use of anti-inflammatory medications.
In addition, exercises to help strengthen your core, abdomen, and back are advised as they can help give you pain relief. Physical therapy exercises for spondylolisthesis will help strengthen your muscles to help prevent further injury or a future injury. It’s also vital to avoid exercises that could make your injury worse and put more stress on your back. Learn the 6 Best Exercises & 3 to Avoid for Spondylolisthesis.
Which Lumbar Spondylolisthesis Treatment Brace Is For Me?
BraceAbility offers many back braces for L4 and L5 spondylolisthesis treatment as well as other low-back conditions, like sciatica, sacroiliac joint dysfunction or back strain. This brace for spondylolisthesis is unique in that it features a nodular silicone insert that stimulates blood flow and muscle activity to reduce inflammation, and encourage healing. This lightweight, breathable brace fits easily beneath your clothes and will not bunch or roll up thanks to the compressed knit at the edges of this support. It also allows for quite a bit of mobility without sacrificing lumbar spinal support.
Another spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis back brace with even more added features is the Comprehensive LSO Stabilization Back Brace. This brace for treatment of spondylolisthesis provides segmented stabilization of the spine and it limits spine movement to prevent further slippage of the vertebra. This therapeutic brace is highly adjustable for user comfort. The plush pads of this brace are removable for a sleeker fit and its panels are heat moldable for a customized fit. The compression of this isthmic spondylolisthesis treatment support can be easily adjusted with the brace’s mechanical 5-to-1 compression application mechanical pulley system.
Another lumbar brace that features the easy-to-use mechanical pulley system for applying stabilizing compression is the Low-Profile Corset Back Brace. This support is also available in a 10-inch version as well as bariatric sizes. This brace for spondylolisthesis treatment features a chair-back design with touch panels that can be molded to your body and removed for a sleeker fit or during back exercises.
Also in the interests of customized fit, this brace can be closed at either a 75- or a 90-degree closure and the pulley system means its compression can be easily adjusted for when you’re sitting or standing in a matter of seconds.
Our Adjustable Lower Back Pain Brace is also a popular choice for treating spondylolisthesis. It comes with a mechanical pulley system to help you quickly apply and decide the amount of pressure you want on your back. It also helps promote proper posture and alignment of your spine, which in turn relieves stress on your spine.
Another great option for lower or lumbar back pain is the Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis Back Brace Stabilizer. This brace helps provide a hydrostatic lift for the spine, meaning it will reduce the pressure placed on your tissues. This brace is also completely adjustable from the front, so you don’t have to worry about twisting your abdomen, which could make your condition worse.
Which Thoracic or Mid-back Treatment Brace Is For Me?
A pressure-limiting support for the upper and lower back is the Sciatica & Spinal Stenosis Back Brace. This support can be used as treatments for spondylolisthesis, sciatica, stenosis, herniated discs and other back conditions. This LSO brace is made of lightweight material and it functions by shifting pressure on the back to the abdominal region. This brace has pockets to hold gel packs that can provide cold and hot therapy to help manage your pain.While isthmic spondylolisthesis most often occurs in the low-back region, there are instances of spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis in the cervical or thoracic spine. Degenerative spondylolisthesis, which is characterized by changes in the spine due to aging, can occur in a number of locations. BraceAbility offers several braces for degenerative spondylolisthesis treatment that supports both the lumbar and thoracic spine.
The Decompression Back Brace is another great option to help treat your pain caused from spondylolysis. The low-friction pulley system of this brace helps to apply pressure to your lumbar and thoracic spine. It also comes with a tall posterior panel for additional support.
Surgical & Post Surgical Spondylolisthesis Treatment Options
But not all cases of spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis can be treated by conservative methods. When you are nonresponsive to conservative modes of treatment, spondylolisthesis surgery may be needed for lumbar, thoracic or cervical spondylolisthesis treatment. This typically involves fusing the vertebrae of the spine together in the interest of stability. A laminectomy may also be undergone to ease coinciding pressure on the discs or nerves of the spine. Fortunately, the success rate of this surgery is around 85-90%.
In such instances, you may need a brace for both before and after the procedure. To help recover from spondylolisthesis, surgery, wear the LSO Spine Stabilization Brace to help speed up your recovery time. This brace is popular because of its customizable fit, the ease of compression application and its chair-back design. The brace’s mechanical pulley system means it is quick and easy to adjust, and its paneling is covered in soft, plush padding. The brace provides targeted therapy to limit harmful motions, making it an ideal post- and pre-surgery brace.
The Back Brace Stabilizer Corset is another option for surgery preparation or recovery that comes at an even more affordable price. The posterior panel of this support is anatomically contoured and the anterior panel is low profile and includes pockets. This support also features hand straps for ease of use for patients suffering from arthritis.