What Should You Know About Spondylolisthesis Surgery?
The vertebrae are connected to one another by means of joints; the bones forming the spine are aligned in a certain order, and the front and back parts of the vertebrae continue in alignment from the front and back without disrupting the sequence.
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The term spondylolisthesis, formed by the combination of the Greek words spondilous meaning spine and olistezis meaning slipping, refers to the slipping of a vertebral body over the vertebra below it. In other words, spondylolisthesis is the condition in which the upper vertebra of two adjacent vertebrae slips forward or shifts in relation to the lower vertebra.
Spondylolisthesis is seen in ten percent of patients who consult a doctor with the complaint of lower back pain. Among the main causes of spondylolisthesis, which is seen more frequently in women than in men, are congenital anatomical abnormalities or problems occurring during birth. These types of patients feel lower back pain when they reach adolescence. Spondylolisthesis that occurs due to advancing age is called degenerative spondylolisthesis.
When Is Spondylolisthesis Surgery Needed?
A treatment method is followed according to the degree of spondylolisthesis. Treatment methods also vary depending on the degree of spondylolisthesis and the complaints it causes. If spondylolisthesis does not cause any complaints and its presence is noticed incidentally, there is no need to apply treatment to such patients. However, daily exercises are recommended to the person in case it may cause complaints in the future.
The first stage applied in the treatment of spondylolisthesis is medication and / or physical therapy. In addition to these, some interventional pain treatment methods may also be used. These are epidural cortisone, prolotherapy, and radiofrequency treatment. If spondylolisthesis cannot be treated with non-surgical methods; surgical intervention is required for the patient.
If positive results cannot be obtained from non-surgical methods; especially in 3rd and 4th degree spondylolisthesis, spondylolisthesis surgery is considered necessary.
How Is Spondylolisthesis Surgery Performed?
Spondylolisthesis surgery is a surgical operation that can be performed safely today thanks to the experience of the surgical team and developing technological possibilities. Spondylolisthesis surgery concerns the fields of orthopedics or neurosurgery.
Spondylolisthesis surgery takes an average of 45 minutes to 1 hour. This time varies depending on the procedure to be performed. If there is also a herniated disc problem in addition to spondylolisthesis, this duration becomes a little longer.
Spondylolisthesis surgery is performed in order to remove the pressure on the spinal cord and nerves and at the same time to ensure that the spinal bones stand properly and in balance so as to align with one another. In order to remove the pressure on the spinal cord and nerve tissues and thus relieve the nerves, some bone tissue is filed down or removed during the surgery.
During the surgery, a stabilizing system such as screws is also used in order to ensure the balanced alignment of the spinal bones and to guarantee that they fuse in this way. After the surgery, wearing a lumbar brace for a while is recommended in order to ensure that the bones heal properly. Afterwards, the lower back and abdominal muscles should be strengthened by beginning to perform the exercises recommended by the doctor.
After Spondylolisthesis Surgery
The success of spondylolisthesis surgery does not depend only on the operation performed by the surgeon. The doctor’s recommendations must be followed exactly before and after the surgery.
If the person does not pay attention to their care after the surgery, no matter how successful the surgery is, the person may not fully recover and the symptoms may begin to appear again.
Use of Antibiotics
After spondylolisthesis surgery, the medications prescribed by the doctor should be used. Whatever dose and frequency these medications need to be taken, they should be followed without interruption. If the antibiotic is stopped halfway or used irregularly, the antibiotic will not be effective. In this case, antibiotic resistance develops in the person and the treatment process becomes even more difficult.
Use of a Brace
After spondylolisthesis surgery, patients need to use a brace for a while. In this way, an additional contribution is made to the healing process. With the use of a brace, the person can get through the healing process much more comfortably. They move more comfortably and feel less pain during daily activities. The recommended duration of brace use is 3 months, and the brace should be removed at night.
Avoiding Strenuous Exercises and Movements
During the recovery period of spondylolisthesis, which is a spinal disorder, straining the spine and placing load on the spine should especially be avoided. In the early period after the surgery, standing for a long time, going up and down stairs, and carrying loads should definitely be avoided.
Patients need to be very careful with their lower backs after spondylolisthesis surgery. Putting load on the spine damages the surgical area.
After spondylolisthesis surgery, it is necessary for about 45 - 60 days to have passed before starting heavy exercises such as football and fitness again. Until the healing process is complete, one should not go beyond the exercises planned by the doctor.
Physical Therapy
Regular exercise and sports prevent spinal problems and pain. Physical therapy supports the post-surgical healing process as an additional treatment by strengthening weakened ligaments and tissues.
Regular and Healthy Nutrition
Healthy and regular nutrition positively supports and accelerates the healing process after surgery. A patient who has undergone spondylolisthesis surgery should eat foods rich in calcium, protein, and vitamin A.
Patients who have undergone spondylolisthesis surgery are also advised to quit smoking and alcohol. These substances delay wound healing. In addition, they also damage the joint structures located between the lumbar vertebrae.
