Cervical & Lumbar Anterolisthesis

teteri66

Welcome to the board.

In a word, Definitely, and with either a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon or a neurosurgeon. Just be sure the practice is limited to neck and back issues only. What does a knee doc know about the spine...other than what he learned in med school? An X-ray alone doesn't provide enough information to be able to say whether you have pain.

The X-ray only shows that you have bones, some are not in alignment and that there are no fractures. It does not show whether there are problems with the discs, any nerve compression or stenosis in the central canal or the neuro foramina.

The fact that you have numbness is concerning and could be due to nerve compression or something not related to the spine. I can make a case for all the symptoms being related to spinal issues but I'm not sure why your hands turn blue. That sounds more like a circulation problem to this lay person!

Talagam

Thank you for your reply. Yes, this was an L& I case because I was working in a warehouse lifting 40-50 pound boxes and bags. The IME L&I doc said that it was not work related and I shouldn't have any pain because my xray showed minimal stuff but, I know that with Grade 1 anterolisthesis @ L4-5, sometimes it requires surgery. I also know I was with a cane now and have constant neck pain also. I am on short term disability at work so I am going for a second opinion ASAP. Even if it's not work-related, I'm still having pain and it needs to get fixed. Thanks so much, you confirmed my thoughts exactly. I did have an EMG which showed nothing so I'm still confused about that. No MRI though.

teteri66

With a spondylolisthesis, it can be active or inactive. If inactive, it will show the slippage of one vertebra over the top of the adjacent vertebra, but it will be stable ( no longer sliding). If active, there is some movement which can trap a spinal nerve, pinching and unpinching it as the bones slip.

An EMG is a subjective test and is only as good as the person who gives it, and the person who interprets it. You don't have to have permanent nerve damage yet for there to be nerve compression. Without a MRI, you are missing so much information.

Talagam

Thank you all! I got a new PCP yesterday and gave him all the information. He immediately referred me to a spine specialist who only works on the spine!!! Finally!!!

teteri66

Excellent. Please check back and let us know what you learn at the spine doc!

Also, if you haven't done so yet, start keeping a file of your medical records. Ask for a copy of MRI at the time of service and ask them to send you a copy of the report. It is easier to get at the time of service than to have to go back to request medical records. You may never need it, but it saves lots of time if you do...plus then you can post it here and we can add our two cents!