Table of Contents

High grade spondylolisthesis

Lumbosacral spondyloptosis, by definition, is more than 100% anterior displacement of the L5 vertebra with regard to the sacrum. It is also known as grade 5 spondylolisthesis 1) 2) 3).

Hresko et al. proposed a classification system dividing high grade spondylolisthesis cases into unbalanced and balanced pelvic groups based on the orientation, i.e. radiographic parameters, of the pelvis. Balanced pelvises had higher SS and lower pelvic tilt, whereas unbalanced pelvises incompletely compensate with lower SS and pelvic retroversion, resulting in a higher pelvic tilt (PT) 4)

Treatment

Surgical stabilization of high-grade spondylolisthesis remains controversial.

High-grade spondylolisthesis can be a debilitating condition for the patient and present a significant challenge for the surgeon 5).

Surgical techniques

Several surgical techniques have been advocated to deal with symptomatic L5 S1 spondylolisthesis.

Posterolateral fusion with pedicle screw fixation has become increasingly popular 6).

Complications

It has been associated with a relatively high rate of pseudoarthrosis and progressive slippage 7).

1)
Boos N, Marchesi D, Zuber K, Aebi M. Treatment of severe spondylolisthesis by reduction and pedicular fixation. A 4-6-year follow-up study. Spine. 1993;18(12):1655–1661.
2)
Jo D J, Seo E M, Kim K T, Kim S M, Lee S H. Lumbosacral spondyloptosis treated using partial reduction and pedicular transvertebral screw fixation in an osteoporotic elderly patient. J Neurosurg Spine. 2012;16(2):206–209.
3)
Chandrashekhara S H, Kumar A, Gamanagatti S. et al. Unusual traumatic spondyloptosis causing complete transaction of spinal cord. Int Orthop. 2011;35(11):1671–1675
4)
Hresko MT, Labelle H, Roussouly P, Berthonnaud E. Classification of high-grade spondylolistheses based on pelvic version and spine balance: possible rationale for reduction. Spine 2007;32:2208-13.
5) , 7)
Boxall D, Bradford DS, Winter RB, Moe JH (1979) Management of severe spondylolisthesis in children and adolescents. J Bone Joint Surg Am 61:479–495
6)
Lee GW, Lee SM, Ahn MW, Kim HJ, Yeom JS (2014) Com- parison of posterolateral lumbar fusion and posterior lumbar interbody fusion for patients younger than 60 years with isthmic spondylolisthesis. Spine 39:1475–1480