Spondylolisthesis and nerve problems

Bones, joints and muscles
1

About 2 months ago I started getting some unusual feelings in my right leg. To begin with it just felt a little more lethargic than the other leg. This gradually developed into tingling sensations in my calf and a burning feeling down the front of my thigh. Sometimes this travels down into my foot.
I saw a physiotherapist and she initially said it was probably a trapped nerve but after a few weeks it didn’t improve so I was sent for an x-ray. The x-ray showed grade 1 - 2 Spondylolisthesis at L5 and S1. Basically the disc is ground down to nothing also.

I should point out that other than some dull lumbar pain I haven’t really had any other symptoms other than the neurological ones. The physio has now referred me for an MRI but made the comment that she wouldn’t expect the tingling / burning sensations to be present unless the Spondo was grade 3+. Now after a consultation with Dr Google (not sure where that guy got his medical degree from), I am worried it might be something else like MS.

I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced nerve symptoms only with a grade 1 to 2 Spondylolisthesis?

2

Yep. I have lumbar spondylolisthesis with retrolisthesis L3 to S1 and I have had neuropathic pain in my right leg. Have had four epidural injections; only the first one gave me any type of relief (4 months). Have been through two 6-week rounds of physical therapy including lumbar traction (which reaggravated the nerve pain; I HAD it under control with medication).

Mine is “moderate” which I think is grade 3; in the uppermost and lowermost levels it is grade 2. Have been told by three separate orthopedic spine surgeons I am “not a rurgical candidate”. Cancelled two appointments with neorosurgeons in the coming 3 weeks because what’s the point?

At least the torture of physical therapy with lumbar traction will be over this Friday.