Leading experts directly treat lumbar spondylolisthesis at Vinh International Hospital

Patient CTT (51 years old), in Dien Hung commune, Dien Chau district (Nghe An) has a history of back pain for many years. Recently, the patient has had pain radiating down the right leg, especially when the patient coughs, sneezes, moves a lot and does heavy work. The patient was examined clinically and paraclinically for diagnosis. X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results showed: Severe L4-5 and L5-S1 slippage due to fracture of the L4, L5 waist; L4-5, L5-S1 disc herniation causing spinal stenosis, nerve compression.

MRI images of disc herniation and spondylolisthesis and X-ray distance of spondylolisthesis before surgery.

Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Le Bao Tien - Director of the Institute of Trauma and Orthopedics -Vietnam - Germany Friendship Hospitalsaid: "Spondylolisthesis is divided into many types, the most common in clinical practice are: Spondylolisthesis due to isthmus defect and degenerative spondylolisthesis. This patient is in the group of spondylolisthesis due to isthmus defect. Based on the current condition, the patient is elderly, the pain greatly affects the quality of life and the need to move around a lot… Therefore, the patient is indicated for surgical intervention.

Associate Professor, Doctor, Doctor Nguyen Le Bao Tien - Director of the Institute of Orthopedics and Trauma, Vietnam - Germany Friendship Hospital and the team are performing surgery. Photo: Kim Chung

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Le Bao Tien directly performed surgery for the patient. The doctor performed screw placement through the spinal pedicle into the slipped vertebrae at L4 - L5 - S1 under C-arm guidance; cut the posterior arch of L4, L5 and the articular surface of L4 - 5, L5 - S1 on both sides; removed the disc, released the compression of the intervertebral foramen on both sides of the 2 intervertebral disc layers of L4 - 5 and L5 - S1; then grafted the interbody bone of L4 - 5, L5 - S1 by placing the cage device and autologous bone; placed a vertical splint on both sides to correct the slipped vertebrae.

C-arm image of positioning and screw placement and spinal adjustment back to normal.

The surgery was performed successfully after 150 minutes. Two days after surgery, the patient had the drainage tube removed, used a support brace and practiced early postoperative exercises such as sitting up and walking. 10 days after surgery, the patient was able to leave the hospital with a stable surgical wound, improved back pain and normal walking.

Doctor Nguyen Van Tham - Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation examines a patient before discharge. Photo: Kim Chung

Lumbar spondylolisthesis is a condition in which the upper vertebrae slide forward or backward relative to the lower vertebrae. This condition causes lower back pain, pain radiating down one or both legs, and difficulty walking. Although the disease is not directly life-threatening, it seriously affects the quality of life.

The results of lumbar spondylolisthesis treatment depend on many factors, the most important of which is to correctly diagnose the stage of the disease in order to have appropriate indications. Therefore, patients with spondylolisthesis need to be detected and treated early by experienced specialists, and should not be subjective and ignore the symptoms.

Vinh International HospitalEquipped with the most modern diagnostic imaging facilities in the North Central region, along with comprehensive professional cooperation with the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Hospital, it has brought highly successful treatment results to patients.