Spondylolisthesis means one vertebra has slipped out of place over another. Mild slippage may cause few symptoms, while more advanced cases can lead to back pain, leg pain, numbness, weakness, or trouble walking.
For people looking for a spine surgeon near Houston, Dr. Rajesh Bindal sees back and leg symptoms at Texas Spine & Neurosurgery Center in Sugar Land, Texas. Dr. Bindal is a board-certified neurosurgeon with more than two decades of experience in advanced brain and spine surgery. When spondylolisthesis causes instability or nerve compression, lumbar fusion may be part of the treatment discussion.
Why Spondylolisthesis Can Cause Pain
The spine depends on alignment and stability. When one vertebra slips forward, it can change how weight moves through the lower back. That may irritate joints, strain muscles, narrow the spinal canal, or place pressure on nearby nerves.
Symptoms can include:
- Lower back pain that worsens with standing or activity
- Pain that travels into the buttock, thigh, or leg
- Numbness or tingling
- Leg weakness
- Tight hamstrings
- Trouble walking longer distances
- A feeling that the lower back is unstable
Does Spondylolisthesis Always Need Surgery?
No. Many people begin with non-surgical care, especially when symptoms are mild or stable. Treatment may include activity changes, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, injections, or monitoring.
Surgery becomes more likely when pain persists, walking becomes limited, nerve symptoms worsen, or imaging shows instability with nerve compression. The goal is not just to treat the X-ray finding. The goal is to treat symptoms that match the exam and imaging.
When Fusion May Be Recommended
If the slipped vertebra is unstable, decompression alone may not be enough. Removing pressure from the nerves can h elp leg symptoms, but the spine may also need stabilization.
During lumbar fusion, the surgeon stabilizes the affected spinal level so the bones can heal together over time. Dr. Bindal may use minimally invasive techniques when the diagnosis and anatomy support that choice.
Because spondylolisthesis can overlap with spinal stenosis, back pain treatment, and broader spine treatment, a spine evaluation can show where pain or pressure is coming from. Our related blogs on conservative treatment before spine surgery and lower back pain when standing or walking may also help.
Get Spondylolisthesis Care in Sugar Land, TX
Back pain from spondylolisthesis can involve both instability and nerve pressure. Texas Spine & Neurosurgery Center serves Sugar Land, TX, and the greater Houston area with neurosurgical spine care from Dr. Rajesh Bindal. For an evaluation, schedule a consultation or call 281-313-0031.