Optimizing Bone Health in the Treatment of Lumbar Spondylolisthesis

Osteoporosis can result in lower fusion rates and increased instrumentation failure, making it critical to optimize bone health in the lumbar spondylolisthesis patient prior to surgery. Guidelines exist for diagnosis and management of osteoporosis and osteopenia; however, in patients indicated for a procedure involving spinal instrumentation, a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach must be employed pre-, peri-, and postoperatively to optimize surgical and disease outcomes. Non-pharmacologic, pharmacologic, and intraoperative modalities are used in tandem to promote bone health and stall progression of both osteoporosis and spondylolisthesis in these patients.