Treatment for Mild Retrolisthesis at L2-L3

Initial Conservative Management

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends supervised exercise programs that focus on strengthening the paraspinal and abdominal muscles to provide better support for the spine 2

Surgery should be considered only after failure of conservative management for at least 3-6 months and when there are significant neurological symptoms or progressive instability, as suggested by the Journal of Neurosurgery 3, 4
For patients with retrolisthesis and associated spinal stenosis without significant instability, decompression alone may be sufficient, according to Praxis Medical Insights 1
For patients with retrolisthesis and significant instability or associated spondylolisthesis, decompression with fusion is recommended, as stated in the Journal of Neurosurgery 5, 6
Lumbar fusion may be appropriate for patients with chronic low back pain due to retrolisthesis that is refractory to conservative treatment, as suggested by the Journal of Neurosurgery 3, 4
Pedicle screw fixation should be considered in cases with kyphosis or excessive motion at the site of the retrolisthesis, according to the Journal of Neurosurgery and Praxis Medical Insights 1, 5

The presence of neurological deficits, especially progressive ones, should prompt more urgent surgical evaluation, as recommended by Praxis Medical Insights 1