What is the most common location for spondylolisthesis?

What is the most common location for spondylolisthesis?

• A. L5/S1
• B. C4/C5
• C. L4/L5 and L3/L4
• D. T12/L1

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that the level most likely to slip depends on the cause. In older adults with degenerative changes, the slip most often occurs at L4-L5, with L3-L4 being the next most common. So a choice that lists both L4-L5 and L3-L4 best reflects the two most frequent sites for degenerative spondylolisthesis. L5-S1 is classically associated with isthmic spondylolisthesis in younger patients, not the typical pattern seen with degeneration in geriatrics.

The key idea is that the level most likely to slip depends on the cause. In older adults with degenerative changes, the slip most often occurs at L4-L5, with L3-L4 being the next most common. So a choice that lists both L4-L5 and L3-L4 best reflects the two most frequent sites for degenerative spondylolisthesis. L5-S1 is classically associated with isthmic spondylolisthesis in younger patients, not the typical pattern seen with degeneration in geriatrics.