May 26, 2012
Topics A-Z Lower Back Pain Can a Herniated Disc Cause Unstable Spondylolisthesis?
Can a Herniated Disc Cause Unstable Spondylolisthesis? |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: I had x-ray and MRI images taken for chronic lower back pain and numbness of the legs upon standing. Two different spinal surgeons then gave me what I see as two different diagnoses - one said unstable spondylolisthesis needing spinal fusion and the other said a herniated disc that can be treated with minimally invasive surgery. Can one condition cause the other, or do I need to seek a third opinion? Dear Erik: A herniated disc is one in which a tear in the outer fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc allows the central portion to bulge out. Whereas spondylolisthesis refers to forward displacement of one intervertebral disc on another. Both conditions may occur simultaneously and both conditions may have the same underlying cause. However, one condition does not cause the other. It seems you may benefit from a third opinion. |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 17 June 2011 ) |
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