Just learned that I have spondylolisthesis L3-4 and L4-5 Anyone else?

Exactly what the physical therapist, who specialized in spine, said.

Docs will tend to protect their own. Whether justified or not.

@gravity3 - What I know of spondy is that no amount of PT or wishful thinking will correct the condition. Your choices are typically - tolerate the discomfort or have a surgical intervention.

My me - I've experienced DDD for decades but managed discomfort on my own. But when a lumbar spondy materialized, that pushed me over the edge and I had corrective surgery.

What diagnoses have you had?

Just the condition itself at this point. I don't have pain just discomfort and a feeling of deep fatigue in my spine when I do certain things like sleeping on my stomach. Was told to do as much as I can to strengthen my core. I know that losing some weight would help too. I feel fortunate at this time that I am not in a position to even consider surgery

@gravity3 - Appears you understand your challenges and are focused on non-surgical management. Good strategy!

On core strengthening - I suggest you study exactly what activities are best to balance core strengthening with spine protection. Some common exercises - like sit-ups - can do more harm than good.

Managing your weight can also help. Reducing diet intake of foods that promote inflammation also can help. Good luck!

I have exactly the same condition. Also extreme stenosis L3-5.
Have leg and butt pain on standing and walking. No excessive lower back pain.
Having hemilamenotomy 7/11.
Slipped or moving discs are a matter of degree of movement and pain. Only a Neuro surgeon ( from what my Drs have told me ) are qualified enough to tell you your option. My own experience backed that advice. 7 othopods required lamanectomy and fusion or they wouldn’t touch me. The Neuro guys went Hemilamenotomy 4-6 weeks recover as opposed to 6 mo-year. Get the best professional advice you can if possible.

It’s wonderful that you trust your surgeon and that may be warranted. My 78 years has taught me to trust everyone at first and as granny said it’s better not to trust and verify. Maybe it’s where we live in south Jersey both my wife and I have received bad and conflicting advice numerous times. In our experience $ was definitely a factor especially after 3 angioplasties. When the 3rd failed in the RCA they recommended isosorbide pills and exersize. I created natural bypass in 4 weeks. Could have done that the 1st time it blocked up in 3 months. Big money in these procedures.
Most Drs are just smart guys who have the same values, often, as the fund managers on Wall Street; some have high ethics. Just my experience sorry.
Tony
Your gas mileage may vary.

Don’t use orthopods for spine surgery when neurosurgeons are much more highly qualified and knowledgeable.

Very sorry to hear this.
Drs are great ethical creatures until they are not.
Understand Drs have their own code of ethics internally.
As the patient your needs are second to their own well-being.
Sorry for your situation and thank you for the reminder. 7/11 hemilamenotomy .
Done my homework and can’t go on as I am.
Wish me luck.
Tony

I am one of the lucky ones as I have an orthopedic spine specialist who told me that the last resort will be to operate. He gave me an epidural shot for nerve compression due to disc degeneration impacting my L4/5 and ultimately pressing on the nerve. He is very generous with PT prescriptions and is willing to give me additional epidurals, if needed. Thank goodness because after reading peoples experience with spine fusion - I agree - I would rather live with moderate chronic pain.

I will always need to stretch, work out per PT instructions, and the PT will massage my back to release tension when needed. Pilates has helped but honestly, the type of stretching and strengthening exercises the PT gave me helps a lot more than Pilates. I will take aspirin and just push through with some good days and some bad days.