Spondylolisthesis is a degenerative spine condition in which the discs of the spine slowly deteriorate, allowing a vertebra of the spine to shift from side to side or to slide in front of the vertebra below it. While this condition could develop with no symptoms, if the shifting vertebra causes a nerve root to become compressed in the spinal canal, the patient will experience symptoms of chronic and radiating pain, as well as numbness, weakness and tingling.

If you have been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis, you should consult your doctor about the treatment options available to you. Many patients with mild cases of spondylolisthesis find pain relief through conservative methods of treatment. Often, pain medication is prescribed in conjunction with physical therapy and chiropractic care to increase the effectiveness of the therapy.

Collaborate with your doctor about whether or not you would be interested in trying pain medication to treat your spondylolisthesis, and what type of medication you think would work best for your needs and lifestyle. To learn about the various medications that may prove effective for easing your pain and discomfort, as well as the alternative treatments available, read the following article.

Types of spondylolisthesis pain medication

Over-the-counter or prescription, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often the first line of defense when it comes to spondylolisthesis treatment. These drugs, such as naproxen and ibuprofen, work to block inflammation-inducing enzymes and relieve mild to moderate pain. While NSAIDs often work effectively for mild forms of spondylolisthesis, some patients may require stronger medication for their condition.

For patients who require spondylolisthesis treatment methods that can combat severe pain, narcotic pain medication may be prescribed. Also known as opioids, these drugs bind to the opioid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system to block pain signals. The most common forms of narcotic pain medication prescribed are morphine and codeine.

Because these drugs are strong and can be habit-forming, physicians typically prescribe these medications only to patients who are in severe and debilitating pain. You should always consult your doctor before changing your medicinal routine if you are experiencing unwanted side effects of your medication, or if you would like to try a different method of treatment.

Surgical treatment for spondylolisthesis

Drugs and medications used to treat spondylolisthesis will only treat the symptoms associated with the condition; they will not treat the source of the condition. As a result, some patients may require surgery to realign and restore stability to the spine. If your doctor has asked you to consider surgery to treat spondylolisthesis, you should research all of the surgical options available to you. For instance, USA Spine Care offers a safer and effective alternative to traditional open back fusion.^

Our minimally invasive stabilization procedure realigns and stabilizes the spine by removing the diseased disc and replacing it with an implant. Unlike traditional open back fusion that requires a large incision and cuts through the muscles surrounding the spine, our minimally invasive stabilization surgery is performed through a small incision that does not unnecessarily disrupt the surrounding muscles or soft tissue. To learn more about the advantages of our minimally invasive surgery, please contact us today.

Our procedures have earned a patient satisfaction score of 98^, and we are confident that we can help get you back to the life you love by treating your spondylolisthesis. To find out if our minimally invasive spine surgery would be effective in relieving your condition, reach out to our dedicated team. Through a free MRI review,* we can determine if you are a potential candidate for our outpatient spondylolisthesis procedures.

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