Exercise and Rehab
Posted on: Sat, 09/06/2008 - 11:23
newly diagnosed with spondylolisthesis

My son was receiving his physical to sign up for the US Navy and they stated that he had Spondylolisthesis. I have been researching this online to see what this is exactly. His back has never bothered him. I was wondering if anyone knows of excercises that he may be able to do to help him maybe strengthen his back to maybe help prevent future problems. Any suggestions for us to what type of doctor that we should see or anything useful for us. He is really wanting to join the Navy and this may keep him out.


Posted on: Sat, 09/06/2008 - 12:25 #1
Move forward!

Smile hi! i see this is your first post and i want to welcome you to the forum! we are here to offer you support and answer what questions we can. your son is so fortunate to have you by his side. at the top of the forum you will see "Conditions" which can give you an explanation on your son's problem. check under "Treatments" for an idea on some solutions. an Orthopedic surgeon or Neurosurgeon can help diagnosis this. you might require an mri although i find it hard to believe they gave him one for his physical. that would get very costly!! anyway, good luck and keep moving forward till you recieve some concrete answers! your support means the world to your son! Jenny

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Double laminectomy L4-L5, bulging discs, DDD, Bone spurs, nerve damage in left leg and hip, DJD, and that to familiar visitor,arthritis

Posted on: Sat, 09/06/2008 - 12:59 #2
Population

Hi there,

If you read around you will see that papers say about 5% of population have this defect and many are asymptomatic. I do hope that is true of your son.

Is he hypermobile? www.hypermobility.org

If he is he "may" be at risk of being symptomatic, simply becos his ligaments are weaker than should be. Are there any other medical problems or family history that may put him at risk?

Another really useful learning website is www.chirogeek.com for a good basic understanding on the condition and the site does highlight key findings, which is useful.

Perhaps find him a good NS or Ortho to review him. Pilates is highly recommended for inner core muscle strength to support the spine, nothing more strenous. I suspect as a keen naval cadet, he will be pushing weights etc - be careful. The large muscles are not key to the support of the spine.

Take care and I hope it works out well for him

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Spondy, DDD, Spondylolsis - Dynesys and S1 PLIF 2007, revision PLIF BMP L4/5 Feb 2008 and revision PLIF September 2008
Pain is compulsory, suffering is optional, smiling is a must!!

Posted on: Sat, 09/06/2008 - 14:29 #3
He has never had any back

He has never had any back pain. The only way that we found out about this was when the Navy required an xray due to his scoliosis, which we know about, but is mild and does not give him any trouble. This has come completely as a surprise to us. I guess that I should have any evaluated anyway by a neruosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon just to be on the safe side.