Seven Pain Treatments For Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis is a very common condition that is a result of spinal arthritis. The top bony vertebrae slips on the one below, and it turns into a mechanical problem that cannot be "fixed" nonoperatively. It may be painless and seen as an incidental finding on x-rays. Or symptoms may include back pain along with buttock, hip, and/or leg pain.
Once the diagnosis of degenerative spondylolisthesis is made, what are the treatment alternatives? Here are 7 nonoperative pain management treatment options:
- Ignore it
- Phoenix Physical Therapy
- Chiropractor Treatment
- Spinal Decompression
- Pain Medication
- Interventional Pain Treatments
- Bracing and TENS Unit
Ignoring the symptoms of degenerative spondylolisthesis is a treatment known as benign neglect. It is not a fatal diagnosis and isn't going to paralyze anyone, so as long as the symptoms are tolerable it is fine to simply deal with it until it reaches a level of concern. If one wonders whether or not there is a way to prevent the condition from getting worse, the answer is - not really.
There is some thought that nutraceutical substances like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may hold off the arthritis that may result in the spondylolisthesis, but this is not a definite.
Chiropractor and scottsdale physical therapy treatment have been shown to be exceptionally effective for back pain problems, especially when it's acute (under one month duration). It could be that symptoms are an acute exacerbation and if treated with these alternatives, may decrease back to a tolerable baseline.
Spinal decompression treatment is an FDA cleared, revolutionary treatment using intermittent traction. It is very safe, FDA cleared, relatively painless, and extremely effective. Patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis are ok for the machine unless they have severe osteoporosis or post surgery with hardware.
Pain medications include NSAIDS, Tylenol, neuropathic medications, or narcotics. Over the counter medications according to the manufacturer's dosage specifications may control the pain very well such Aleve or ibuprofen. Neuropathic medications can include Lyrica or Neurontin. Narcotics should be provided under the guidance of a physician and should only be obtained by one doctor.
Interventional pain management treatments include epidural injections, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), or facet injections (facet blocks). For pinched nerves or spinal arthritis, spinal injections have been shown to be significantly beneficial. They are very low risk and may have very high benefit.
Spinal bracing may be very helpful in instances of back pain due to instability with one segment shifting on the segment below. A TENS Unit may keep symptoms at bay when utilized in moderation. It should be utilized according to your provider's recommendations usually no more than an hour at a time then with an hour off.
Spine surgery for degenerative spondylolisthesis should be undertaken as a last resort after all nonsurgical treatments at an az pain center have failed.
