This pathology is a also named Santa syndrome... Ho Ho!The terms referring to these pathologies derive from ancient Greek. Spondylolysis sphondylos + lysis (vertebrae + rupture) and Spondylolisthesis sphondylos + olisthanein (vertebrae + falling) mean respectively, the fracture and ;the forward displacement of one vertebra relative the vertebra below.
Spondylolisthesis can have various origins. Overuse: Typical intensive Santa's activities that put extreme pressure on the spine (carrying heavy Christmas presents, toys, electrical appliances, etc).Generally, the causes are divided into the following types:Type I congenital, abnormal development of the facet joints that facilitate forward translation of the vertebrae in adolescenceType II isthmic spondylolisthesis caused by a stress fracture of the pars interarticularisType III degeneration of the facet joints due to arthropathy in older people (Santa!)Type IV traumatic injury to the facet joints or pars interarticularisType V Instability of the facet joints of iatrogenic origin (facetectomy surgery).Spondylolysis is essentially a stress fracture caused by repeated strains to the lower back.
Potential risk factors to acquire spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis are:Ageing (Santa is notoriously an old man!)Female gender ;Anatomical predisposition (facet joint malformation, spine lordosis)Congenital joint laxityAdolescence (isthmic spondylolysis)Sports involving repetitive spine hyperextension, rotation or flexion-extension may develop pars defects (gymnastics, football, weightlifting, judo)Pregnancy ;African-American ethnicity ;
Santa often visits a specialist when spondylolisthesis has degenerated to the extent of producing back pain and neurological symptoms due to the advanced compression of the nerves (radiculopathy), or to the spinal cord by disk herniation. This prevents him from his annual Christmas activity.Spondylolisthesis ;progressively leads to low back pain, muscle spasms, stiffening and weakening of the muscles in the lower back and hamstrings. Additional neurologic symptoms include numbness, tingling and pain, particularly with long standing and walking. In adolescents symptoms may manifest during a growth spur. With spinal trauma symptoms of spondylolisthesis become acute and more likely neurological involving bladder/bowel function and claudication due to compression of the cauda equina.Symptoms of spondylolysis include low back pain and stiffness. Pain is aggravated with activity. With time, pain may radiate down to one or both legs. During the healing process of the fracture, tissue growth may interfere with the nerve exit at the foramen thus worsening neurological symptoms. ;
Medical history and physical examination are essential for the diagnosis of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. Palpation of the spine and observing the patient during spinal bending and twisting may trigger pain and help the detection of anatomical abnormalities.X-ray of the lower spine is the easiest method to diagnose both spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. This will reveal the presence of a fracture or the sliding of one vertebra relative to the spine. The doctor will measure the anatomical changes to assess the gravity of the condition. If these pathologies are complicated by neurological symptoms, a CT or MRI scan will allow to visualise degenerative changes of the disks, spinal canal, spinal cord to address a suitable therapy. Electromyography is also used to assess neurological changes such as radiculopathy or vertebral canal stenosis, which may occur as a consequence of spondylolisthesis.
Conservative treatment is the standard initial approach to address spondylolisthesis. This will improve the symptoms but not reverse vertebral sliding. The strategy focuses on the interruption of any strenuous physical activities, plenty of rest and the administration of analgesics and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or steroid injection in the local epidural space to ease pain. Ongoing degeneration in the alignment of the spine will be monitored regularly by repeated X-rays in standing position. ;Although controversial, bracing is also adopted by some orthopaedic surgeons in form of thoraco-lumbosacral spinal orthosis or modified Boston Brace for 3-6 months. These are recommended only in isolated spondylolysis and not spondylolisthesis. Physical therapy usually begins when the acute symptoms have subsided paying particular attention to strengthen the core muscles of the spine and abdomen in support of the affected region and stretching of the lower sacral spine.
Surgery is required if conservative treatment over 3 to 12 months fails to improve pain and neurological symptoms, or when spondylolisthesis is aggravated with further displacement of the vertebrae over 50%, in Type 1 and 2 slips, with a severe neurological component, or after traumatic spondylolisthesis. The preferred method of choice is a spinal fusion of the lumbar vertebra and the sacrum. In case of both degenerative spondylolisthesis and spondylolytic spondylolisthesis the aim of surgery is to relieve the pressure to the nerves with a laminectomy and perform a spinal fusion to restore alignment and stability of the spine. For a detailed description of surgical methods please refer to the pathology ;Disk herniation.
Working with isotonic and isometric exercises to strengthen the deep abdominal muscles and the muscles of the trunk surrounding the spine provide beneficial stability to the vertebrae to delay further misalignment, aggravating the spondylolisthesis. Stretching exercises alleviate the pressure to the lower back when flexing or extending the spine. In addition, the following measures are recommended:Gait trainingWalking HydrotherapySwimmingBalance exercisesAntilordotic postures to reduce the curvature of the lumbar spine
In the athletic population preventing spondylolisthesis translates into avoiding strenuous physical activities and bending the back in hyperextension. In the elderly people such as Santa, it is key to maintain strong core muscles to support the spine and delay spinal degeneration caused by ageing. Educating both groups on the risks of developing these conditions by adopting proper movements and postures while exercising is also critical.Having a restful holiday for precisely 364 days after Christmas day without carrying heavy weights is the optimal strategy to prevent the pathology.