An often far overrated myth in musculoskeletal complaints is the so-called vertebral gliding, also known as spondylolisthesis. In this vertebral sliding, a vertebral body slides forward (anterolisthesis) or backward (retrolisthesis).
The reason for this is usually a defect in the area of the vertebral arch. A swirling slide normally does not cause any complaints and is therefore a coincident finding in the vast majority of cases. Depending on the source, about 80-90% of people with sliding vertebrae remain complaint-free and do not require special therapy. If back pain nevertheless occurs, the causes are in most cases multifactorial. Biological, psychological and social factors always play a role in the development of back pain, so that rarely a cause can be blamed for it. This is called 'non-specific back pain'. In the vast majority of cases, people with vertebral gliding also fall into the category of patients with non-specific back pain. In very rare cases, the vertebral glide is solely responsible for the complaints, i.e. 'specific'.
This danger is very small. In addition to the fact that 80 - 90% of the people affected remain without back problems, a progression of the vertebral sliding is also very rare. If the swirl glide remains undetected and untreated, there is usually no threat of horror scenarios such as sudden paralysis, numbness or loss of control over the bladder and intestines. Severe and rare forms of vertebral sliding are usually detected early and, depending on the degree of severity (it is classified according to Meyerding grade 1 - 4), surgically cared for. But here, too, there is good news. Even in the case of specific back complaints due to a sliding of the vertebrae, surgery is usually not performed, but a specific training for the vertebral column stabilizing muscles is recommended and successfully implemented.
Large loads or a 'crease' of the spine are usually not the cause of a vertebral glide. Even sports such as dolphin swimming, pole vaulting, gymnastics and trampoline jumping do not increase the risk of causing a vertebral glide or getting back problems due to a vertebral glide. The diagnosis 'vertial sliding' therefore does not generally mean the end of the favorite hobby, which is why doctors do not ban sports for certain sports in the 'random diagnosis: spondylolisthesis'. In a few cases, close medical control is indicated in people with vertebral gliding.
Recommendations to 'relieve the spine by resting', 'to stabilize by a corset' or 'to protect the vertebrae in any form' must be critically questioned. In the vast majority of cases, they lead to an amplification of symptoms as regularly as they are predictable and thus to chronic back pain in the medium term. Successful methods to avoid back complaints - even when sliding vertebrae - are rather a specific strength training of the abdominal and back muscles or the trunk muscles in all directions of movement as well as mobility and endurance training. It is important that the measures are always carried out regularly and long-term and that training programs are individually tailored to the individual person and their individual goals. Through regular training and exercise, the well-being and thus the quality of life of back pain-suffering can be significantly and permanently improved.
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