Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolysis is a stress fracture or defect in the small, connecting arch of bone in the vertebra known as the pars interarticularis.
What Causes Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis?
Spondylolysis often stems from repetitive stress, hyperextension, or wear and tear on the lower back, while spondylolisthesis occurs when that stress causes the bone to slip forward. Key contributing factors include overuse and athletic stress, congenital factors, age-related degeneration, trauma
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms depend on whether the vertebra has slipped enough to pinch surrounding spinal nerves or cause instability:
- Lower back pain or stiffness, particularly across the beltline
- Pain that worsens when leaning backwards, bending, or arching the spine
- A feeling of tightness in the hamstrings and stiffness in the lower body
- Sciatica, sharp, burning pain radiating into the buttocks, thighs, or legs
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or feet
- Pain aggravated by prolonged walking or standing, which improves when sitting or leaning forward
Emergency Red Flags
Seek immediate emergency medical attention (A&E) if a slipped vertebra causes loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness around your saddle area (buttocks, genitals, or inner thighs), or severe, progressive weakness in both legs. These are signs of Cauda Equina Syndrome.
How Is It Diagnosed?
Your Fortius specialist will carry out a detailed physical examination to check for localized tenderness, spinal alignment, range of motion, and nerve function. To confirm the diagnosis and measure the degree of slippage, they may recommend:
- X-rays: Including standing and dynamic (bending) views to check bone structure, pinpoint pars defects, and measure the grade of vertebral slippage.
- MRI scan: To evaluate soft tissues, intervertebral discs, nerve root compression, and spinal canal narrowing in detail.
- CT scan: Used to assess fine bony detail and check whether a stress fracture (pars defect) is actively healing.
How is it treated?
Most individuals manage spondylolysis and low-grade spondylolisthesis successfully through conservative, non-surgical treatment tailored to their activity goals.
Treatment Routes for Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
Initial management involves modifying activities that trigger pain and using anti-inflammatory medications advised by your doctor. Specialist physiotherapy focuses on core stabilization, abdominal strengthening, and hamstring stretching to support the lower spine and prevent further slippage. In acute stress fractures, short-term bracing may be used to promote bone healing.
Working with Spine professionals and teams
Our spine specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their spines. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Spine treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
1 of 4