This is a condition in which one vertebra slips or is displaced over another vertebra. This condition typically occurs in the lumbar spine, at the junction with the sacrum.
The cause can be genetic, but traumatic events can be a cause as well.
There are different degrees of severity that describe this disorder: from a slight slippage of the vertebrae (grade 1) to spondyloptosis, a complete displacement between the two vertebrae. (grade 5)
Less severe spondylolisthesis are commonly found in adolescents or children, while the degenerative spondylolisthesis occurs more frequently in elderly age.
Especially young patients complain of low back pain and abnormality in posture can be a consequence of spondilolysthesis.