L5S1 Spondylolisthesis.

Contributor:

Dr. Chris Ekong

Case 12

Age: 58

Sex: Female

History: Episodes of back pain for 10 years. Occasional radiation into legs. Strenuous activities make the situation worse. Back brace helped but has become cumbersome.

Treatment:

L5 Laminectomy and L5S1 Interpedicular Screw fixation and fusion.

Comments:

We usually treat L5S1 Spondylolisthesis conservatively at the initial phase. Many patients are asymptomatic and so do not require any treatment. Some have the occasional back pain and require the occasional analgesics and/or anti-inflamatory. Others do well with a chair back brace. We use them for a few months, then we wean them of the brace.

Some patients find the brace helpful but cumbersome. Many of these end up with surgery. The surgery consists of decompressive Laminectomy and Interpedicular screw fixation.

These patients are usually admitted on the day of surgery and are hospitalized for 3-4 days. They wear a back brace post-op when up for about 4 weeks. Most return to work in 6-12 weeks.

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