spondylolisthesis

[Alloagirl]

Others have posted. Just want some others with the same problems. Have physio help lots of exercises especially in my left leg which I seem to have sciatica. I have been given exercises for this specifically. No help really. It seems they think my problem is quite mild but the pain is real. I can harldly walk without help from my rollator. I have kept up with the exercises religiously. It started last September mildly but seems to get worse each month. I have cocodamol which helps somewhat. Any advice from sufferers would be helpful. Do not want to spend the rest of my life like this.

[Libluce68]

I have Spondylolisthesis caused by fractured facet joints in 1992 - treatment then was bed rest and 6 months in a plaster jacket - no physio/exercise - I’ve managed the pain myself over the years taking naproxen (which really helped) until I got a stomach bleed and started with microscopic colitis which was linked to the naproxen - so now I use co-codemol and I swim. After many bouts of physio, which had no impact I found 30 minutes of gentle swimming three times a week keeps the muscles around the spine strong and does help with the pain - don’t get me wrong I still have days when my back spasms and I can’t straighten up plus I still have issues standing for longer than 5 to 10 minutes but over the years I’ve had to find ways of managing it. I’ve been told by some specialist's it’s my weight (I’m a couple of stone over weight but when I first injured myself I was a few stone under weight) but get very little in terms of solutions and leave feeling I’m at fault.

I wish you well - I’m nearly 70 now and have lived with this - I feel for you and hope you get some relief

[cyberbarn]

I have spondylolisthesis too, which has resulted in intermittent sciatica and low back pain. They also think I have psoriatic arthritis which is in my hands and feet. i can't take codeine or NSAIDs so I rely on paracetamol and ibuprofen gel.

My podiatric surgeon said that paracetamol is better when taken regularly rather than a dose after the pain starts, so that is what I have been doing for a few years now. If I have a day or two of forgetting most doses, which can happen when I don't have much pain, then the pain does get worse. When my lower back kicks off (which is usually the first step before sciatica kicks in) I use the ibuprofen gel, max strength.

and again, apparently according to an orthopaedic surgeon, with hands at least, it is better to do the gel three times a day for a couple of days, every few weeks. that way you get on top of the inflammation.

As for physio, I have had a similar problem. They gave me exercises, specifically bridges, and dismissed me. I did them for 7 months and it didn't change anything. But when I stopped them things got a bit better! During the pandemic I saw a university physio online and she confirmed that if those exercises weren't helping, and were sometimes making things worse, then don't do them.

Swimming used to help, but the hydrotherapy pool is too far away for us to use anymore. With an ageing population they need to urgently build more hydrotherapy pools!

[DollyDutchGirl in reply to cyberbarn]

Please, please talk to your doctor if you are using the ibuprofen gel regularly. I was using it for excruciating back pain every day - and, before I knew it, I had stage 3 kidney disease. My GP stated that the CKD was totally attributed to regular use of the ibuprofen gel. Now I am on Dihydrocodeine plus two paracetamol every four hours and 70 mg of Amitriptyline at 6pm each evening. Best wishes to you.

[cyberbarn in reply to DollyDutchGirl]

I don't use the gel every day, I use it for a couple of days, then not for a few weeks. But thanks for the warning.

[operalover12]

Hi, I've still got incredible pain in left ankle, its swollen like a balloon, cant walk cant take co codamol. Got lots of health issues sorry I cant be more helpful, just moved house so coping with that, good luck and thinking of you x

[Geriinaz]

Hi. I have a love/hate relationship with physiotherapy. There are times when it feels like it is making my pain worse, but if I stop exercising, I find that it is harder for me to move, in general, and any type of activity becomes painful. I have level 3 spondylolisthesis in my lumbar spine and as a result of caring for my quadriplegic son for 13 years, have developed pretty severe scoliosis in my cervical spine. I've been to a surgeon twice, hoping that he will come up with alternatives to fusion surgery for both areas, but he insists that is the best option. I have been resistant to the surgery because 1. I am primary caregiver for my son, and 2. I am 76 years old and feel that recovery from those surgeries would be an arduous effort. I have also had severe fibromyalgia for years and have developed osteoarthritis (I just recovered from a hip replacement). I have taken oxy-codone for years, and go to a pain management doctor, mostly for medication management. unfortunately, have become dependent on the oxy-codone, but it relieves over 50% of my pain. I use ibuprofen gel, lidocaine, anti-inflammatory meds, etc., as I see fit, plus the use of ice and heat, but the most helpful thing that I do is MOVE. If I didn't....I couldn't. So, yes, I am an advocate of physiotherapy, but within reason. Good luck with finding the "right" thing for you. Living with pain is VERY difficult, and can be made worse by people who just don't understand it.

Geri

[Sugaree]

me too, like everyone else that replied, I have chronic sciatica in my left leg, and cervical spondylitis with several pinched nerves. I had physical therapy and mostly do the neck ones. The pinched nerves in neck radiate down to my fingers with some numbness in fingers. I struggled with this for 14 years. I have been told to walk, but that increases sciatica pain. I can’t take ibuprofen or naproxen because I have reflux. Swimming is the best for me, I have a small above ground pool with solar cover. Dr advised me to only swim if water is warm otherwise I get spasms. I swim with a soft cervical collar. Not always sure what helps but I know what not to do. Long car rides, soft mattresses, couch sitting. I have lumbar pillow that helps for car rides and sitting at home. I was advised not to do physical therapy exercises if I have alot of pain in that area. Arthritis is popping up everywhere but spondylitis and nerve compression are the worst. I am 63 and am continually making lifestyle changes to work around pain. I take tramadol and butalbital but limited because I need it daily. I am getting closer to going into pain management for stronger meds. I am sorry you and so many others struggle with spine issues. It’s an ongoing battle but I try to stay positive. This site is great because I don’t know anyone else with chronic,daily pain.