Do I need surgery for a lumbar spondylolisthesis?

  Lumbar spondylolisthesis can be divided into congenital, degenerative, isthmic fracture, traumatic, pathological and other types.  The need for surgery needs to be considered in the following aspects: the degree of slippage, the presence of neurological symptoms such as lumbar pain and lower limb pain and numbness (symptoms are the main basis), and the presence of combined isthmus fractures.  Suggestions: 1. Take left and right oblique lumbar spine films and power radiographs to clarify whether the isthmus is fractured and whether there is lumbar instability; 2. (2) carry out functional exercises for the lumbar and back muscles, such as sit-ups, supine jacks and swallow flies; (3) wear a lumbar brace to protect the activities to prevent further aggravation of slippage; (4) give symptomatic treatment for pain.  (5) Frequent follow-up visits and regular radiographs; 4. If the symptoms of lumbar pain are heavy and continue to be unrelieved after conservative treatment, or if the slippage is serious, the lumbar spine is unstable, has a tendency to continue to slip, or if there is nerve root compression causing pain and numbness in the lower limbs, or if the cauda equina nerve compression causes urinary and fecal disorders, it is recommended that surgery be performed as soon as possible.  At present, the more classic surgery is: posterior spinal decompression, slipped vertebral body arch fixation, reset + intervertebral body implant fusion. This is a more mature surgical procedure, which is routinely carried out in our department. Generally, you can wear a rigid lumbar girth to get out of bed 3 days after surgery, and you can be discharged in about 7 days with satisfactory results.