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The phrase “slipped disc” is often used to describe the condition known as spondylolisthesis. It occurs when a vertebra slips out of place onto the vertebra below it. If the phrase is common, there is a reason for that. A large study estimated that 11.5% of the adult population with back pain may suffer from a slipped or collapsed disc. Women are much more at risk of spondylolisthesis than men with a male-to-female ratio of 1:3. Degenerative disc disease which can lead to slipped discs have a prevalence of more than 90% in people older than 50 years.

What are the symptoms of Spondylolisthesis?

A slipped disc usually occurs in the lumbar or lower spine. Typical symptoms can be a tingling or pain in your buttocks, thighs, calves or feet. A slipped disc can cause localized pain in the lower back and abdomen.
A slipped disc injury can occur in young athletes such as wrestlers, gymnasts and weight lifters. According to a Framingham-based study, the most at-risk population is between the ages of 60-69. This group typically suffers from the degenerative version of spondylolisthesis. Women are three times more likely to develop spondylolisthesis than men.

How many types of spondylolisthesis are there?

  1. Congenital: Caused by an abnormal bone formation present at birth.
  2. Isthmic: Resulting from spondylolysis, a condition that causes bone fracturing that results in the vertebra slipping out of place, L5-S1 level.   This is often seen in patients such as competitive gymnasts who exert significant forces in back bending.
  3. Degenerative: Caused by aging and the drying of the intervertebral disc, L4-L5 level.
  4. Traumatic: Resulting from a physical accident or injury that causes a slipped disc or a spinal fracture.
  5. Pathologic: Due to weakness initiated by a disease such as osteoporosis, cancer or infection.
  6. Post Surgery: Refers to disc slippage after spinal surgery.

How is spondylolisthesis diagnosed and treated using a regenerative approach?

If you suspect that you have a slipped disc, Dr. Greenberg’s team will perform a Comprehensive Kinetic Diagnosis, including a review of your most recent radiographs. They will carefully examine and palpate your neck, back and shoulders to gain a comprehensive understanding of the kinetic integrity of all the key systems involved along your spine, pelvis, knees and feet.

They may find that the weakness and instability in the joints of your spine are caused by a problem with your sacrum or with your sacroiliac joint that will need to be brought into balance and treated. Perhaps your pelvis is tilted, stressing your spinal column. Or a weak ankle is causing your lower back to rotate just enough to cause a spinal imbalance which adds to your pain.

Based on the evaluation, Dr. Greenberg will determine if you are a candidate for Kinetic Regeneration Therapy. If so, he will relieve your Spondylolisthesis by recommending the healing and synergistic cascade of Prolotherapy, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Stem Cell Treatments.

A typical treatment course may call for several injections typically performed every 3 weeks, depending on the patient. Dr. Greenberg has had success using Prolotherapy and PRP injections to treat a slipped disc. He will palpate your back during the session, looking for injured ligaments, muscles and discs that are out of balance and may be causing pain. We treat all the kinetic systems that are unstable and bring them into equilibrium. The treatments initiate your body’s healing processes to rebuild sinews, tendons, cartilage, and even bone using the body’s own healing components and cells to strengthen and stabilize the spine and reduce pain.

Our team treats you holistically, renews you physically and seeks to rekindle a feeling of wellness, so you become a healthier YOU with a back that feels great.

If you or a loved one is looking for a new strategy to treat chronic aches and pains, fill out the form on this page to schedule an appointment or call Dr. Greenberg’s office today at (833) 440-4325.


Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis: prevalence and association with low back pain in the adult community-based population;
Kalichman, Kim, MD, Li, Guermazi, Berkin, Hunter; Spine, 2009 Jan 15

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