spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine
In other lumbar spine conditions, the focus is on the wearing down of the intervertebral disc with subsequent wearing of the vertebral body (known as “osteochondrosis ”). Naturally, this wear mostly occurs in combination with a herniated disc, a spinal canal stenosis and/or an arthrosis of the small vertebral joints. These changes typically become noticeable through a constant pain that is more severe during movement. If the degenerative changes are not too far advanced, the segment can be realigned with a intervertebral disc prosthesis to retain mobility (Figure 1). If, on the other hand, the wear is already well advanced (particularly of the small vertebral joints), the segment must be stiffened.
Fig. 1: Vertebral disc prosthesis in the upper segment and stiffening in the lower segment
herniated disc of the cervical spine
constricted vertebral canal of the cervical spine
herniated disc of the cervical spine