What is lumbar spondylolisthesis?

Lumbar spondylolisthesis refers to the forward or backward slippage of the upper lumbar spine above the lower vertebral body (usually seen before). Take L5 Sacral 1 as an example. Normal lumbar spine has physiological lordosis. Sacral spine shows physiological kyphosis. The junction of lumbosacral spine becomes a turning point. The upper lumbar spine tilts forward while the lower sacral spine tilts backward. Therefore, the negative gravity of the lumbosacral spine naturally forms forward force, which makes the lumbosacral spine slip forward, but it is normally restricted by the lower lumbosacral process, intervertebral disc and the surrounding articular capsules and ligaments. If the isthmus is ruptured or the capsules and ligaments around the facet process are relaxed, the lumbar 5 slides forward. In most cases, lumbar spondylolisthesis does not produce symptoms, only when lumbar spondylolisthesis produces symptoms of low back pain, nerve root stimulation and compression, it is called lumbar spondylolisthesis.