DD diagnosed w/Spondylolisthesis

[PolyAddict]

My DD diagnosed with Congenital Isthmic Spondylolisthesis. Any One ever hear of it? Any advise?

Michele

 

[Manda1219]

Originally posted by PolyAddict
My DD diagnosed with Congenital Isthmic Spondylolisthesis. Any One ever hear of it? Any advise?

Michele

No advice, and I've never actually heard of it...just hoping someone out there has...and I wanted to offer a

 

[mommytotwo]

Sorry, I have never heard of it.

 

[AZKathy]

I know what spondylolisthesis is. It is a slippage of one vertebrae forward from allignment in the lumbar region. I believe the problems are pain in the back, pain down the legs and numbness. How old is your DD?

I do believe with anything, they would want to treat this conservatively. If she is young, they may refer her to a pediatric orthopedic surgeon to follow her along while she grows. My son sees an pediatric orthopedic surgeion for his Sheuremann's Kyphosis and Scoliosis and we just go in every six months for check ups. He also saw a physical therapist for exercises and put him in a brace for a while until DS revolted and well, it got ugly in our home, so our orthopedic surgeon said that he does not need to wear it as long as he follows through with his exercises. It was tough. Okay, I went off track. I am sorry!

I wish the best to your DD. I have lower back problems and I know it could be really painful!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just stopping for good wishes, Michele, for your daughter, hope she does well.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I hope she is okay.

 

[Hillbeans]

Not sure what it is, but it sounds very scary. Prayers to you and your DD.

 

[JKanownik]

I have Spondylolysis (cracked L5 vertabrae, but no slippage) and DW has grade 3 (or 1 whichever is the lowest grade) Spondylolythesis (cracked vertabrae that is slipping slightly). Both conditions are quite common, especially in girls that have done gymnastics. Spondylolysis is due to a genetic defect that causes a portion of a vertabrae to be weak. In some cases the vertabrae is cracked at birth, in other cases it can be caused by stress on the bone. The slippage in Sponylolythesis can also either be genetic or caused by stress. It's estimated that 10% of the population has one or the other, but most people don't know that they have it. Most people only find out they have it if they get into a car accident (or some other accident) and have X-Rays taken of their back. And most people that have it never experience any symptoms. The fact that the symptoms are hit or miss makes it very frustrating for people such as myself that experience pain from it. I've been through physical therapy, epidural injections, MRI's, Xrays and bone scans. I had one doctor that wanted to fuse two vertabrae together and I've had two that recommended that surgery should by a last option and that it would be stupid to jump into it at my age (25). It's important to note that all of this was done because I was having extreme nerve pain due to a weight lifting injury and later due to a car accident. I am not considered a normal case of spondylolysis.

As far as what you can do, here's what I would recommend for long term care (you haven't posted details about your DD and her symptoms, so I'll assume that its assymptomatic at this point) to minimize the risk of complications of the future:

1) Maintain a healthy weight. Carrying around extra weight is the worst thing you can do for your back.

2) Regular exercise, especially high repitition weight lifting, is highly recommended.

3) Don't lift heavy weights. I know I just recommended weight lifting, but that is exercising with weights that you can do 10-15 reps of in a controlled manner.

4) Hope/pray that you don't have any problems.

I know that all of these are recommended for everyone regardless of whether or not you have spondylolysis/spondylolythesis, but anyone who has chronic back pain will assure you that the effort put into staying healthy is well worth it.

I'll be happy to answer any questions you have as I've done extensive research on the matter and have visited MANY different doctors for it.

-Josh

 

[Denine]

Not only have I heard of it, I have it too. I was diagnosed at 15 and had a spinal fusion at 17. Not all cases require surgery. The surgery helped tremendously. Unfortunatley, I will always have an abnormal back and back pain. I was taking a lot of vioxx when DD was smaller. I am 36 now.

Good luck. PM or e-mail me if you or DD needs to talk.

 

[grinningghost]

No advice, but I can offer a hug to you and your DD.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Been there, done that, have that in addition to many of the other things that were and are genetically wrong with me. I had to have my spine fused for that problem when I was around 13. The dr. did the best he could. I would be one of those rare medical cases. I had to have bone from a bone bank and he twisted something from my hip just to make my back stable. I have many other problems so I am not the norm. Definetely find a good doctor and get a second opinion too if you want one. I went to the best dr. at columbia presbyterian after a few surgeries somewhere else. He said I needed another one but I would probably paralized if he did it. I just live with the pain and do the best I can. I only take a motrin or tylenol if I need it.

 

[PolyAddict]

Thanks for all the support!! It is very much appreciated!!

Denine-Thanks for the offer to email you. I may take you up on that.

Josh and AZ Kathy- Thanks for sharing your stories. DD is 11 and has had leg pain and weakness for at least 2 years. She was screened for scoliosis last Sept. and they said she was fine. She just looked crooked to us and she always seems to be uncomfortable, so we requested another xray and this is the diagnosis they gave but basically said there is nothing to do for her right now.

Michele

 

[JKanownik]

Note that the grade (which denotes the distance the vertabrae is slipped) of the spondylolythesis is very important. A higher (more severe) grade is much more likely to require surgery.

-Josh

 

[AZKathy]

Originally posted by PolyAddict
Thanks for all the support!! It is very much appreciated!!

Denine-Thanks for the offer to email you. I may take you up on that.

Josh and AZ Kathy- Thanks for sharing your stories. DD is 11 and has had leg pain and weakness for at least 2 years. She was screened for scoliosis last Sept. and they said she was fine. She just looked crooked to us and she always seems to be uncomfortable, so we requested another xray and this is the diagnosis they gave but basically said there is nothing to do for her right now.

Michele

Not even being followed by an pediatric orthopedic specialist? It would not hurt to ask for a referral to one from your pediatrician just so your DD is followed periodically like at least once a year? If it was me, I would insist on that just because of her leg pain and weakness in her legs. My best to your DD!!!!!!