Expert diagnosis and treatment for spondylolisthesis in Northwest Indiana. Dr. Hobbs offers both conservative care and minimally invasive surgical options to stabilize your spine, relieve pain, and restore your quality of life.
Spondylolisthesis is a spinal condition in which one vertebra slips forward over the vertebra directly below it. This slippage can narrow the spinal canal or compress the spinal nerves exiting at that level, leading to back pain, leg pain, and other neurological symptoms. The condition most commonly affects the lower lumbar spine, particularly the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels.
Spondylolisthesis is classified by grades (I through V) based on the percentage of slippage. Grade I represents up to 25% slippage, Grade II is 26-50%, Grade III is 51-75%, Grade IV is 76-100%, and Grade V (called spondyloptosis) means the vertebra has completely fallen off the one below it. Most cases seen in clinical practice are Grade I or II.
There are several types of spondylolisthesis, each with a different underlying cause.
Caused by a stress fracture (spondylolysis) in a small piece of bone called the pars interarticularis. Most common in young athletes.
Results from age-related wear and tear on the spinal joints and discs, most common in adults over 50.
Caused by a direct injury or fracture to the vertebra that allows it to slip forward.
Present from birth due to abnormal formation of the vertebrae, which predisposes them to slipping.
Spondylolisthesis is graded by how far the upper vertebra has moved forward over the one below. Tap a grade to see the slip, what it does to the nerves, and how it is usually treated.
The upper vertebra has moved forward by up to a quarter of its width. This is by far the most common grade, and many people with a Grade I slip have no symptoms at all.
Physical therapy, activity modification, and time. Surgery is rarely needed unless the slip is unstable or nerve symptoms persist.
Leg symptoms, and whether the slip grows or moves on repeat flexion/extension X-rays.
Educational 3D illustrations of representative slip grades, not patient scans or exact measurements. Treatment depends on symptoms and stability, not the grade alone.
Symptoms vary depending on the degree of slippage and whether spinal nerves are being compressed. Some people with mild spondylolisthesis have no symptoms at all, while others experience significant pain and functional limitations.
If you experience sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, rapidly progressive leg weakness, or numbness in the groin area, seek emergency medical attention immediately. These may be signs of cauda equina syndrome, a rare but serious condition that requires urgent surgical treatment.
Spondylolisthesis can develop from a variety of causes depending on the type. In younger patients, it is most often related to stress fractures from repetitive hyperextension of the spine. In older adults, it typically results from degenerative changes in the spinal joints and discs.
Factors that increase your risk of developing spondylolisthesis include:
Dr. Hobbs begins with a thorough evaluation to accurately determine the type and severity of spondylolisthesis and develop an individualized treatment plan.
Assessing your posture, range of motion, gait, and neurological function. Dr. Hobbs will test your reflexes, muscle strength, and sensation in your legs. Hamstring tightness and pain with lumbar extension are common clinical findings.
Standard X-rays confirm the presence and grade of the slip. Flexion and extension (bending forward and backward) views are particularly important because they reveal whether the slippage is stable or if the vertebra moves with changes in position, which is called dynamic instability.
Provides detailed images of the soft tissues including nerves, discs, and the spinal canal. MRI is essential for evaluating whether the slippage is causing nerve compression and helps guide treatment decisions.
In some cases, a CT scan may be ordered to provide detailed images of the bony structures, particularly to evaluate the pars interarticularis for fractures or to assist with surgical planning.
Your MRI report mentions “anterolisthesis”? Decode the terms in your lumbar MRI
Dr. Hobbs strongly believes that nonsurgical solutions should be explored first before recommending surgery. Many patients with spondylolisthesis, particularly those with Grade I and Grade II slips, respond well to conservative treatment. Surgery is reserved for cases where conservative care has not provided adequate relief, the slip is progressing, or neurological symptoms are worsening.
When surgery is necessary, Dr. Hobbs uses the latest minimally invasive techniques for faster recovery and less pain:
If stabilization becomes part of the plan, these are the approaches and tools Dr. Hobbs relies on.
ABNS
Residency
M.D.Certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, with specialized expertise in complex spinal conditions including spondylolisthesis.
University of Kentucky medical degree; neurosurgery residency at the University of Chicago, serving as chief resident.
Specialty-trained in minimally invasive spine surgery and navigated instrumentation.
Dr. Hobbs always explores nonsurgical solutions before recommending surgery.
Extensive experience with complex spine cases and revision surgeries for patients who have had prior unsuccessful procedures.
Practicing at Northwest Indiana's most preferred orthopedic and spine practice, with offices in Crown Point & Chesterton.
Don't let spondylolisthesis keep you from living your life. Dr. Hobbs offers the latest minimally invasive treatments with proven results. Call today to schedule your consultation.
(219) 250-5010Monday – Friday · 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
500 E. 109th Avenue
Crown Point, IN 46307
601 Gateway Boulevard
Chesterton, IN 46304
Your next step
Jonathan G. Hobbs, M.D. is a board-certified neurosurgeon at Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute. For questions about spondylolisthesis treatment, call the office to arrange an individual evaluation and discuss which options may be appropriate.
Consultation offices: Crown Point, Chesterton. Your symptoms, examination, imaging, and prior treatment help guide the discussion.
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