Under what circumstances would you consider decompression alone for a stable grade 1 spondylolisthesis at L5-S1?

In general, a decompression alone can be performed in select cases in the setting of a degenerative spondylolisthesis in the absence of instability.

Primary symptoms from spinal stenosis must be present and not related to foraminal height or foraminal stenosis in my practice.

I look at the sacral sl...

If the symptoms are mainly neurogenic claudication with less prominent back pain, then decompression without fusion at L5-S1 is what I'd consider most.