Slippage on your spine scan?
Review your options.
Spondylolisthesis involves one vertebra slipping relative to another. Review your symptoms, imaging and previous care before deciding on a treatment plan.
Request an Evaluation (Form)Telehealth or in person. Your request does not confirm an appointment.
A careful review before a surgical decision.
Treatment decisions consider the degree of slippage, your symptoms and overall health. Your evaluation helps you understand nonsurgical options and whether decompression or stabilization deserves discussion.
Bring your imaging
Bring available spine imaging, reports and details of your symptoms and previous care.
Discuss the alternatives
Review previous care, nonsurgical options, expected benefits, limitations and risks.
Choose the appropriate next step
Surgery is discussed when symptoms, examination and imaging support it. No outcome is guaranteed.
Experience & careful judgment
Meet Dr. Cornacchia.
Louis G. Cornacchia III, M.D., FAANS, FACS
A board-certified neurosurgeon with 30 years of spinal cord stimulation experience.
More about Dr. Cornacchia’s experience and SCS device decisions
Spinal cord stimulation experience
Experienced neurosurgical judgment before device decisions.
A spinal cord stimulator is a medical device decision, but it is also a diagnosis decision. Apteum’s evaluation is designed to clarify whether SCS is reasonable, whether another spine problem needs attention, and what goals should define success for you.
He works with a community of experienced pain-management doctors and with Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and other manufacturers.
Manufacturer relationships do not imply endorsement of a specific device for every patient. Brand and system selection should be based on clinical need, anatomy, MRI considerations, programming goals, prior device history, and shared decision-making.
Additional systems as clinically appropriateYour evaluation focuses on listening, reviewing your imaging and explaining your options clearly. Surgery is considered when it is appropriate for your case.
Your evaluation focuses on your diagnosis, prior care and goals. Discuss the expected benefits, limitations, risks and alternatives before choosing your next step. An evaluation is not a commitment to surgery or an implant.
Read Dr. Cornacchia’s training and experience →How spinal cord stimulation works
Watch this explanation created by Dr. Cornacchia. Spinal cord stimulation is one option for selected patients after evaluation; it is not appropriate for every cause of pain and does not replace the discussion of the treatment on this page.
Full spondylolisthesis information and treatment options
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is a spinal condition where one vertebra slips out of alignment. Apteum Spine offers expert evaluation and advanced surgical and non-surgical treatments for all grades of spondylolisthesis.
Your request does not confirm an appointment.
Understand your condition. Know your options.
The first step is understanding what is causing your symptoms. We review your history, imaging, and previous treatment so you can understand which options deserve consideration.
- Listen
Your history, symptoms, and goals.
- Review
Your imaging and previous treatment.
- Explain
Your options and the next steps.
Information for your evaluation
What Is Spondylolisthesis?
Spondylolisthesis is a spinal condition in which one vertebra slips forward (or occasionally backward) relative to the vertebra below it. This slippage can narrow the spinal canal or compress nerve roots, leading to pain and neurological symptoms. The condition is graded from I to V based on the percentage of slippage, with higher grades indicating more severe displacement.
Types and Causes
Spinal instability can result from degenerative changes (worn discs and facet joints), trauma or fractures, tumors that weaken the vertebral structure, infections, previous spinal surgery, inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, and congenital abnormalities. Degenerative instability is the most common form, particularly in the lumbar spine.
Treatment Considerations
Treatment depends on the grade of slippage, symptoms, and overall health. Many patients respond well to conservative treatment including physical therapy, activity modification, and pain management. For patients with significant slippage, progressive symptoms, or neurological deficits, surgical stabilization with spinal fusion may be recommended. Apteum Spine utilizes robotic-assisted techniques for optimal precision.
Common Symptoms
- Lower back pain that worsens with activity
- Tight hamstrings and difficulty walking
- Pain, numbness, or tingling in the legs
- Muscle spasms in the back
- Visible postural changes in severe cases
Treatment Options
- Physical therapy and bracing
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Epidural steroid injections
- Decompression surgery
- Robotic-assisted spinal fusion
Take your next step with clarity.
Request an evaluation of your condition and options. Our team will contact you to discuss your request and arrange the next step.
Your request does not confirm an appointment.
Understand your vertebral slippage and next step.
Request an evaluation to review your symptoms, imaging, goals and prior treatment history.
The team will contact you to discuss your request. No outcome is guaranteed.