Lumbar Drift (Spondylolisthesis)
Definition
A lumbar shift is a shift of one vertebra over another vertebra. Often it can be a consequence of degenerative processes due to aging in adults. Sometimes it can also occur as a result of hereditary problems of the spine or trauma in young people. It is often observed with low back pain. If the slip causes pressure on the nerves, leg pain may occur.
Findings
It is expected that there will be pain and numbness in the lower back and/or legs. Weakness, cramps may appear in the legs. Rarely, urinary and stool incontinence is observed as a result of impaired bladder or defecation control. These signs usually increase after standing for a long time or walking. The symptoms may Decelerate occasionally, but they get worse over time.
A shorter and shorter walking distance is observed due to weakness, numbness and pain in the legs. With these findings, it may remind you of narrow channel disease. This is due to the narrowing of the canal as a result of the displacement of the spine. Waist shift may not always be severe, some patients have severe waist shift but do not have complaints.
The reasons
In adults, there may be degenerative changes due to aging, rheumatic changes, disc degenerations, problems with the spine joints, facet joint fractures due to trauma. In young people, on the other hand, there may be traumas, hereditary problems, problems in the isthmus of the facet joint of the spine, which are mostly passed on due to athletic activities.