Sounds painful — and it is. This video covers common questions about spondylolisthesis, including how to pronounce it.

Published: April 14, 2016 | Updated: November 20, 2023

Spondylolisthesis is a really big word for a condition that causes lower back pain. While it can happen in any part of the back, it commonly occurs when one vertebra in the lower back slips forward over the vertebra below it. A lot of cases of spondylolisthesis stem from arthritis as we age. Jeffrey L. Gum, M.D., orthopaedic spine surgeon with Norton Leatherman Spine Center, goes over everything from how to pronounce this long medical word to symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options.