The instability and malalignment usually result in symptoms of back pain. As a result of the slippage, the spinal canal is narrowed and this may cause leg pain when standing and walking. During upright posture the spinal canal is at its narrowest and therefore the pressure on the nerve roots most severe. Symptoms can often be controlled through non-surgical means with physical therapy, pain medication and steroid injections. However, not infrequently pain cannot be effectively controlled and surgery becomes warranted.
Surgery is the only method to physically widen the spinal canal.
This is called a decompression. Along with the decompression, it is necessary to perform a fusion of the same segment to prevent further slippage, pain or recurrence of nerve root compression. MRI or a myelogram and CT scan is obtained prior to surgery to document exactly where and how much your spinal canal is narrowed. One of these studies serves as a road map during surgery. Hospital stays for this type of surgery usually range from 3 to 6 days.