Medical cannabis for spondylolisthesis is not a cure for the condition or direct treatment for the underlying causes. It may be considered as a second-line treatment option for adult UK patients who have tried a range of conventional approaches but are still dealing with persistent back pain, nerve pain, sleep issues, mental health concerns relating to the spondylolisthesis diagnosis, and a downswing in their general quality of life.
Releaf’s world-class clinical team will assess your diagnosis, symptoms, scan results, current medications and wider care plan before any recommendation is made on whether medical cannabis may complement your current treatment regime.
6 - 10%
of the general population are estimated to have spondylolisthesis, with prevalence varying by age, type and imaging method.
91.5%
of 328 patients who underwent surgery for Grade 2 lumbar spondylolisthesis reported sleep disturbance before treatment.
47%
of 323 who chose to have surgery for isthmic spondylolisthesis had experienced leg pain for more than 2 years before the surgery.
92.2%
of 792 Releaf patients prescribed medical cannabis for chronic pain reported it was effective for managing their symptoms. In the same survey, 94.4% of patients with sleep conditions reported effective treatment.
Symptoms
Lower back pain
Numbness or tingling that spreads down back into leg
Pain in buttocks
Sciatic nerve pain
Stiffening of the back
Tight hamstrings
Trouble walking or standing
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
When a person first seeks medical attention for their spondylolisthesis, they’re often told to avoid activities that make exacerbate their pain, and are prescribed painkillers to help manage. This is typically accompanied by physiotherapy to stretch and strengthen muscles, and in extreme cases surgery may be considered.
Anti-inflammatory painkillers
Back brace
Pars repair surgery
Physiotherapy
Spinal decompression
Spinal fusion
Steroid injections
Whether you’re new to cannabis-based medicines, switching from another medical cannabis clinic, or self-medicating, we’ll put you back in control of your health.
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Spondylolisthesis is a condition where one of the vertebrae in the spine slips out of place onto the vertebra below it. It can cause significant pain, nerve compression and mobility issues. Research has shown that medical cannabis can be beneficial for treating chronic pain and has anti-inflammatory properties for conditions like spondylolisthesis. Additionally, it can help with muscle relaxation and aid disturbed sleep and anxiety.
Dr Sue Clenton
Medical Director
28. 08. 2024
Pain is an extremely complex symptom that can be linked to a wide range of sources and conditions. But while most people experience pain as an occasional and temporary disruption, many experience it as a more significant burden that significantly affects their quality of life. This may be due to the development of certain medical conditions which can be associated with different types of pain.
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13. 10. 2022
Medicinal cannabis can provide excellent benefits for people suffering from many different conditions. Cannabis is a legitimate treatment for people who have found that other front-line medications have not worked for them. Medicinal cannabis is a topic that is not discussed very often in the UK, so many people will not know whether they can get it or not. In this article, we will answer your questions about how to get medical cannabis in the UK.
13. 10. 2022
25. 09. 2024
Patients in the UK have been able to access legal, regulated medical cannabis products for almost six years. Since the legalisation of medical cannabis in 2018, tens of thousands of patients have experienced the benefits of this incredible plant and its derivatives. But how do you know if medical cannabis is a good option for your health condition?
25. 09. 2024
Yes, medical cannabis is a legal treatment option in the UK for adults living with spondylolisthesis, and has been since November 2018. It may help some patients deal with the symptom burden that goes hand-in-hand with a spondylolisthesis diagnosis.
That said, it is not a first-line treatment option and does not treat the underlying causes. Medical cannabis cannot move the displaced vertebrae back into place, repair a pars defect, or remove pressure from a nerve when surgery is identified as the best clinical pathway.
Any assessment and eventual decision regarding your eligibility for medical cannabis treatment should sit alongside ongoing input from your current care team. The Releaf specialist who assesses your needs will consider possible benefits, side effects, medication interactions, and whether medical cannabis may help you deal with your current symptoms.
Spondylolisthesis does not affect every patient equally, or cause the same symptoms for everyone dealing with the condition. Some experience an incidental vertebrae slip with only a few symptoms, which are controlled well through conventional treatment options. Others face a combination of many symptoms, some of which can be difficult to overcome with pharmaceuticals and physical therapy.
The Releaf prescribing clinician in charge of your medical cannabis care will consider whether cannabis-based treatment options may help where symptoms include:
Sciatica and nerve pain
Muscle tightness and spasms
Reduced daily functioning abilities
Low mood, anxiety and depression linked to persistent symptoms
Yes, the cause of the slip, its location in the spine, and whether a nerve has been affected or trapped all shape how you will be treated.
Degenerative spondylolisthesis develops as the discs and facet joints degrade over time, usually at L4-L5
Isthmic spondylolisthesis usually involves a stress-related defect in part of the vertebra, most often in the L5 to S1 region. Less common, but still potentially treatable forms include dysplastic, traumatic, pathological and post-surgical spondylolisthesis.
Your scan results may also describe the slip by grade:
Grade 1: less than 25% forward movement
Grade 2: 25% to 50%
Grade 3: 51% to 75%
Grade 4: 76% to 100%
Grade 5: complete displacement, also called spondyloptosis
Surprisingly, a higher-grade slip does not always translate into worse symptoms, and a lower-grade slip can still cause heavy pain and/or sciatica.
Medical cannabis can be considered for all types and grades of spondylolisthesis, but your eligibility for UK medical cannabis treatment relies upon a number of factors. Your Releaf specialist will consider your current symptoms and treatments, whether the nerve is compressed, whether there is spinal instability or progressive weakness, and will likely want to speak with your spinal team before any decision is made regarding a prescription for medical cannabis.
When a slipped vertebra narrows the space around a spinal nerve, pain can travel from the lower back into the buttock, thigh, calf, even all the way to the toes. Some people experience tingling, numbness, a burning sensation, or just some weakness. This is commonly described as sciatica.
Whether medical cannabis treatment through Releaf may be appropriate depends on the extent to which nerve pain is affecting your sleep, mobility, and ability to get through the day, as well as the treatment options you have already tried. It may be considered when standard approaches have not provided the symptom control you feel you need, but it cannot remove pressure from a compressed nerve or correct the underlying slip.
The specialist you see at Releaf will review diagnosis scan results, current medicines, and wider health history before deciding if it fits alongside your existing care plan.
THC and CBD are the two most common cannabinoids produced by Cannabis sativa L. plants. They are also the two most commonly prescribed to patients receiving medical cannabis care.
Both compounds interact differently with the body's endocannabinoid system and other signalling pathways involved in pain, sleep, mood, and inflammation.
|
Cannabinoid |
How it works |
Why it may be relevant to spondylolisthesis symptoms |
Important consideration |
|
THC |
Activates CB1 receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which are involved in pain processing. It can also influence GABA, glutamate and dopamine signalling. |
May be considered for persistent pain, sleep disruption, muscle tension or the distress associated with long-term symptoms. |
It can cause intoxication at higher doses. |
|
CBD |
Has little direct action at CB1 receptors. It interacts with systems, including serotonin, TRPV1, and adenosine signalling, which may influence pain perception, stress and inflammation. |
May form part of a prescribed treatment plan where pain, sleep or anxiety are relevant. |
It can interact with some medicines, including those processed by liver enzymes, so a clinician needs to review your full prescription list. |
As we've mentioned above, neither THC nor CBD nor any other medical cannabis treatment option corrects a spinal slip or will treat the nerve compression itself. Your prescribing specialist may offer THC, CBD, or a combination of both, along with other minor cannabinoids and terpenes, with the balance being based on your current symptoms, health needs, response to treatment, and any potential medication interactions.
Sit alongside is the perfect way to describe medical cannabis treatment in this instance.
Physiotherapy is there to help you build strength, improve your movement, and support movement confidence through strengthening exercises and mobility work. Your physiotherapist may also help you understand which movements are worth adapting while your symptoms remain active
Painkillers, anti-inflammatory medicines, and treatments for neuropathic pain may be prescribed depending on your symptoms and medical history.
Surgery may be recommended if a nerve is under significant pressure or if your symptoms are progressing and other treatments have not provided enough benefit.
Medical cannabis is not a replacement for the treatments employed to assess and manage spondylolisthesis. It may be considered as an addition to a wider treatment plan if your symptoms remain difficult to manage, even with conventional treatment. It should never be used to delay medical review for worsening weakness, increasing numbness, or changes in bladder or bowel control.
Like any prescribed medication, medical cannabis can cause side effects and does come with certain risks. These are often most noticeable at the start of your treatment journey or when your prescription is adjusted, and should be discussed with your clinical team as soon as you notice any side effects.
Side effects from medical cannabis treatment can include tiredness, dizziness, dry mouth, red eyes, nausea, changes in your appetite, impaired concentration, and changes in blood pressure.
Medical cannabis treatment options have the ability to interact with other prescribed medications. That is why it is crucial that you share your entire treatment history and current medications with your prescribing specialist during your initial consultation.
Cannabis-based treatment may be deemed inappropriate if:
You have a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis
You are pregnant or breastfeeding
You have certain cardiovascular conditions
People with bipolar disorder will need to have a more thorough assessment to determine whether medical cannabis is suitable for their needs. It is not an automatic disqualification, but your specialist will need to have a complete understanding of your history, current symptoms, and any other factors that could affect how you respond to treatment.
If you find that your ongoing symptoms are still limiting your daily life even after you have tried standard treatment options, you can begin your medical cannabis journey by heading to our fast and free medical cannabis eligibility checker. It takes all of 30 seconds to complete, comes with zero obligations, and will help you understand whether a specialist assessment may be worthwhile for your health needs.
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