Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are conditions that affect the articulating joint (pars interarticularis) of the spine's facet joint. Treatment options include physical therapy to strengthen the muscles surrounding the area. In severe cases, surgery is also an option.

What Is It?
Spondylolysis refers to a defect in a specific part of the spine's facet joint called the pars interarticularis. This defect can cause instability in the vertebra, much like a loose hinge on a door. Over time, with ongoing stresses, the ligaments and muscles that help hold the vertebral body in place may become overworked and strained.

As a result, the entire vertebral body can slide forward, which can cause nerves to be pinched, causing pain. This sliding of the vertebral body is called spondylolisthesis. Both spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis can be present at birth or occur through injury.

Mild cases of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis usually cause minimal pain. Indeed, the conditions are often discovered incidentally when a person has a pre-employment examination or X-rays of the back for an unrelated reason.

Treatments
When spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis do cause pain, you may experience back pain and stiffness, muscle spasms, sciatica, or numbness. The pain is usually treated by strengthening back muscles and avoiding heavy lifting. If that treatment is unsuccessful, a spine surgeon can use a bone graft to fuse the loose vertebrae surgically and keep them from sliding out of place.

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