The difference between spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis is that spondylolisthesis is the slippage of one of your vertebra forward over another vertebra and spinal stenosis is the narrowing of your spinal canal.
Both spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis can cause nerve compression and back pain but they are different in their underlying mechanisms.
Spondylolisthesis is where one of your vertebra slips forward over another vertebra and it's severity and potential for progression can also vary.
Some cases of spondylolisthesis might require surgery to fix the slippage or manage symptoms and other cases of spondylolisthesis can often be managed with conservative treatments such as pain management and physical therapy.
And in some cases spondylolisthesis may get worse over time, and potentially even lead to nerve damage and other complications if the spondylolisthesis is left untreated.
Spondylolisthesis can most often be managed through conservative treatments and in some cases spondylolisthesis may not progress further or cause any significant symptoms.
And in some cases your vertebra might continue to slip, and lead to increased pain, nerve compression and other complications.
Spondylolisthesis in more severe cases often requires surgery to realign your vertebrae and stabilize your spine.
Bracing, physical therapy and pain management are often effective in managing symptoms and preventing progression of spondylolisthesis.
And it's also crucial to seek prompt medical attention for other symptoms like leg pain, numbness, back pain or tingling to prevent any potential complications and untreated spondylolisthesis could lead to permanent nerve damage, muscle weakness and even possible paralysis in severe cases.