INTRODUCTION: The Pilates method is a form of conservative treatment, which has been used in diseases of the spine. Among the diseases is spondylolisthesis, which is a rare event when the type traumatic between the L4-L5 vertebrae. OBJECTIVE: Investigate the effects of Pilates on the strength, flexibility and pain, in a patient with traumatic spondylolisthesis at L4-L5 stable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre- and post-intervention were performed to assess the strength of the abdominal muscles and posterior chain flexibility and low back pain, involving the following tests: repeated rolling of the trunk, static endurance of the back of Sorenson, sit and reach and scale visual analogue score (VAS) of pain. For the intervention, were made of the Pilates exercises, one hour per day, four times a week for twelve weeks, in the following sequence: the initial stretching, strengthening of the lower limbs, abdomen and upper limbs, stretching and final relaxation. RESULTS: Patient went from 28 to 39 repetitions in the test repeated rolling of the trunk and 17 to 65 seconds in the static test of endurance of the back of Sorenson. In the sit and reach test increased from -5 to 2 cm and the pain level of 7 to 3. CONCLUSION: The Pilates method was proved effective in increasing muscle strength and abdominal paravertebral, posterior chain flexibility and to reduce pain in the lumbar spine in a patient with traumatic spondylolisthesis of L4-L5, being an alternative to conservative treatment in cases where there is not instability.
Spondylolisthesis; Spinal injuries; Physical therapy
