Orthopaedics, by video or in person
Spondylolisthesis (Slipped Vertebra)
The signs, the danger signs that mean hospital now, and how to see a doctor by video from anywhere in Nigeria.
Signs to look for
Spondylolisthesis (Slipped Vertebra)
- Lower back pain, often worse standing and walking
- Pain, tingling or numbness spreading into the buttocks or legs
- Legs that ache or feel heavy after walking a short distance, easing when you sit or bend forward
- Tight hamstrings at the back of the thighs
- Weakness in the legs
Spondylolisthesis is when one of the bones of the spine (a vertebra) slips forward over the one below, usually in the lower back. In older adults it comes from wear of the discs and joints. In younger people it can follow a stress fracture in the back of the vertebra, often in sports that bend the back repeatedly. Many people have no symptoms or only back pain that settles with exercise. When the slip narrows the space for the nerves, it causes leg pain, numbness or weakness, often worse on walking and better on sitting or bending forward. Surgery to free the nerves and join the bones is considered when this does not settle.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Lower back pain, often worse standing and walking
- Pain, tingling or numbness spreading into the buttocks or legs
- Legs that ache or feel heavy after walking a short distance, easing when you sit or bend forward
- Tight hamstrings at the back of the thighs
- Weakness in the legs
- A step you can feel in the lower back, in larger slips
When to See a Doctor
Go to a hospital emergency department now if back pain comes with numbness around the bottom or genitals, new difficulty passing urine or controlling your bowels, or weakness in both legs, which can mean pressure on the nerves that control the bladder. Go to a hospital the same day for back pain with fever, weight loss, a history of cancer or tuberculosis, or after a serious fall or accident. See an orthopaedic or spine surgeon if leg pain, numbness or weakness has lasted more than six weeks, or if the distance you can walk keeps getting shorter.
Treatment options
- Staying active, with pain relief, rather than bed rest
- Physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles of the trunk and hips
- Standing X-rays and an MRI scan to show the slip and the nerves
- Steroid injections near the nerve for leg pain
- Decompression surgery to free the nerves
- Spinal fusion to join the slipped bones, often at the same operation
What it costs on Mezo
Starting cash prices for the treatments used for this condition.
Common Questions
Can a slipped vertebra be pushed back by massage or a bone-setter?
No. Massage and manipulation cannot put the bone back, and forceful manipulation can injure the nerves. Exercise, physiotherapy and, where needed, surgery are the treatments that help.
Is spondylolisthesis the same as a slipped disc?
No. A slipped disc is the soft cushion between the bones bulging out. Spondylolisthesis is the bone itself slipping forward. Both can press on nerves and cause sciatica.
Does everyone with spondylolisthesis need surgery?
No. Most people manage with exercise and physiotherapy. Surgery is for leg symptoms that do not settle, a slip that is getting worse, or weakness.
Need Help?
A bone and joint surgeon on a video call, who goes through your scans and says whether physiotherapy, an injection or surgery is right.
See an orthopaedic surgeon by videoIf any of the danger signs on this page applies, go to the nearest hospital now instead.
Find a verified orthopaedics specialist near you.
Orthopaedics in Lagos →Orthopaedics in Abuja →Orthopaedics in Port Harcourt →Orthopaedics in Jos →Orthopaedics in Ibadan →Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Spondylolisthesis. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 3 November 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.