Spondylolisthesis
What is Spondylolisthesis?
Spondylolisthesis is a condition that happens when a bone in your lower back slips out of place. The bone can press on nerves and make simple movements difficult or painful. It can cause pain in your back, legs, or hips, or in some cases, you might not feel symptoms at all.
Unlike a simple muscle strain, this condition involves the structure of your spine itself, which is why it can affect flexibility, posture, and balance.
Symptoms
Spondylolisthesis affects everyone differently. You might live with it for years without even knowing it, only to discover it during an imaging test for another issue. For others, it's a condition you become all too familiar with when the pain starts getting in the way of your daily life, especially when you stand, bend, or twist.
You may feel:
- Lower back pain that worsens when standing or walking
- Pain that spreads to your legs or buttocks
- Muscle tightness or stiffness, especially in the hamstrings
- Numbness or tingling in your legs
- Trouble standing or walking for long periods
- Loss of flexibility in your lower back
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, know that you're not alone — and care is close by.
Risk Factors
You may be more likely to develop spondylolisthesis if you:
- Play sports that involve a lot of bending or twisting (like gymnastics or football)
- Have a family history of spine problems
- Experience frequent lower back strain
- Are older, as spinal wear increases with age
But risk doesn’t mean certainty. Even if you’re at risk, there are ways to stay ahead of symptoms — and we’re here to help you do that.
Diagnosis
Getting the right diagnosis is the first step to feeling better.
Your provider may:
- Ask about your symptoms and medical history
- Check how your back moves and responds to touch
- Order imaging like an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan
These tests help show where the vertebra has shifted and if it’s pressing on nerves. From there, a plan can begin.
Treatment Options
Everybody is different — and so is every treatment plan. Your care team will listen to your concerns and work with you to find the right path forward.
Your care might include:
- Physical therapy to build strength and flexibility
- Pain relief through medicine, ice, or heat
- Activity changes to help your spine heal
- Bracing to give support while you recover
- Injections to ease nerve pain
If symptoms don’t improve with these steps, your care team may discuss minimally invasive spine surgery. Surgery is often a last step — but for some, it brings lasting relief.
Outlook
Many people with spondylolisthesis feel better with non-surgical care. Others find relief through surgery.
No matter what your path looks like, your team will walk it with you - helping you heal at your own pace and get back to what matters most.
Prevention
While not all cases can be prevented, some simple steps can help keep your spine healthy:
- Stretch regularly, especially before and after activity
- Strengthen your core muscles
- Use good posture and body mechanics
- Avoid overtraining or repetitive stress in sports
- Listen to your body — don’t push through back pain
Don't Wait
Even if your symptoms are mild, paying attention to changes in your back can help prevent bigger problems later on. With expert care, many people find relief through treatment options that support strength, stability, and long-term spine health. Either way, you deserve answers, and care that helps you move through life with less pain and more confidence.
Why Choose CHRISTUS Health
You deserve care that sees you as more than your symptoms. At CHRISTUS Health, your story matters — every worry, every hope, every step forward.
Here, caregivers take the time to listen before they act, to hold your hand before a procedure, and to celebrate each small milestone with you. Care is close to home, shaped around your needs, and ready when you are.
From your first visit to your last follow-up, you’ll have a team that treats you like family — walking with you through the hard days and cheering you on through the better ones.
Because your health journey isn’t just about getting better. It’s about feeling understood, supported, and never alone.