Dr. John D. Lipani provides state-of-the-art neurosurgery in New Jersey. Dr. Lipani is a board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon and expert in surgical treatment for spondylolisthesis. Dr. Lipani uses the latest surgical approaches to provide treatments that best fit his patients' conditions. As each patient's conditions differ, each solution will also be unique. Dr. Lipani is dedicated to preserving spinal function and helping his patients return to a healthy quality of life.
Spondylolisthesis is a condition of spinal instability in which a vertebral body translates forward or backward relative to an adjacent vertebral body. This may result in abnormal wear and tear of the spinal column and ultimately cause significant nerve damage. The slipping of the two vertebrae can lead to significant back pain. When nerves are compressed due to abnormal spinal motion, serious neurologic deficits can occur. There are five classifications of spondylolisthesis, which include isthmic spondylolisthesis, degenerative spondylolisthesis, traumatic spondylolisthesis, pathologic spondylolisthesis and dysplastic spondylolisthesis.
Depending on the severity of your condition, spondylolisthesis symptoms can range from back and buttock pain to difficulty walking, motor and sensory loss, and in extreme cases, paralysis. General symptoms include the inability to bend over or twist without feeling pain in the back and/or legs. In some cases of spondylolisthesis, patients may be completely asymptomatic.
Initially, most cases of spondylolisthesis are treated with physical therapy to strengthen the core and back muscles. Surgical stabilization may be required for more severe cases and when symptoms are refractory to conservative treatment methods. The goal of surgery is to decompress the neural elements, stabilize the spinal column, relieve symptoms and prevent further neurologic symptoms.
For more information about spondylolisthesis or our spondylolisthesis treatment, contact the office of Dr. John D. Lipani at (609)-890-3400 today!
