Dr. Leipzig is a board-certified, Salem, Virginia spine surgeon with over two decades of experience. He specializes in procedures including robotic spine surgery, microsurgical lumbar surgery, disc arthroplasty, minimally invasive spine surgery, and more, serving the greater Roanoke, VA area. To learn more or schedule an appointment, please contact our office.
According to a study in the journal Spine, data shows that degenerative disease of the upper spinal vertebrae shows little or no evidence of worsening degeneration over time. For many patients with unstable cervical degenerative spondylolisthesis, observation may actually be the better alternative to surgery.
Degenerative spondylolisthesis refers to “slipped” vertebrae caused by bone degeneration. Spondylolisthesis is commonly thought to result in instability of the cervical spine and spinal fusion surgery (arthrodesis) is often considered appropriate treatment.
The Spine study involved patients who underwent two cervical spine radiographs (x-rays) at least two years apart. The radiographs were compared to determine the amount of cervical slippage over time, and whether slippage increased.
Initial x-rays showed displacement of up to two millimeters between vertebrae in several patients. However, follow-up x-rays revealed minimal progression in all patients. The overall average progression was only about one half millimeter.
Of the 27 study subjects, 21 had backward cervical vertebrae displacement (retrolisthesis), while 6 had forward displacement (anterolisthesis). The retrolisthesis patients experienced somewhat greater slippage during the follow-up, but there were no incidences of dislocation or neurological damage.
Most of the 16 patients with initial symptoms, such as neck pain or sensory abnormalities, were successfully managed without surgery. Of the 11 remaining, symptom-free patients, none showed symptoms in the follow-up.
These results suggest that, for many patients, cervical spondylolisthesis is a non-progressive condition that does not necessarily require surgical treatment.
Virginia Spine Care offers the experience and technology to properly diagnose and treat degenerative spinal disorders. Request an appointment today to learn more about treating degenerative spondylolisthesis.
