EDS and spondylolisthesis and anterolisthesis questions

[Guest guest]

I finally was able to get a copy of an xray done in about februray

I had already known I had spondylolisthesis; however; I the past was told

that it was stable and would never progress.

This xray shows:

1) bilateral pars defect is seen at L5 with grade 1 anterolisthesis of L5 on

S1

2) slight increase of anterolisthesis of L5 on S1 is seen on flexion;

compared to extension

3) mild facet ostearthritis and mild multilevl degenerative disc disease

Questions are:

What is the difference of spondylolisthesis and anterolisthesis ? (my guess

is that spondylolisthesis is the cracks and anterolisthesis is the actual

movement)

The doc told me I should not lean forward and touch my toes or stretch

backwards. I assume this means that the shift is going forward as opposed to

backwards. I was once told that with spondylolisthesis a person hopes that

one direction the slippage can actually tear the spinal cord; which is not

possible if the slippage I the other direction. Is this spinal cord tearing

slippage one of flexion or extension?

The doc also told me that I should not have surgery. Since my trip to the

crappy chronic pain clinic I don¹t trust anything that I am told. I ponder

whether he is telling me this due to insurance or malpractice reasons;

rather then because they are concerned with slippage of the vertebraes. I

also think I read that they don¹t do surgery for spondylolisthesis until it

is at grade 3. Wouldn't a grade 3 be too late for surgery for someone with

spondylolisthesis and EDS. I have read on the spondylolisthesis page that

most surgeons won't touch a person with grade 4; even without EDS.

Do back strenghtening excercises even work for spondylolisthesis? Should I

stay away from swiss ball and aquatherapy? I am thinking that since I am

not allowed to touch my toes that yoga is out of the question as well?

Any thoughts?

laxity@...