sacralization of the 5th lumbar - what does this mean? Has anyone had this? What symptoms did you have? What procedures do they do for this? What works best? Any personal stories? I just found out I have this, but as usual I can't find out any info from other websites and my dr was very vague, so until I see the surgeon I was hoping some of you all could fill me in. Thanks!
I have sacralization of the 5th lumbar vertebrae. It was discovered on a CT scan and it's described on the report as L5/L6 instead of L5/S1. I started having problems six or seven months ago. I have low back pain, pain in my right buttock area, right foot & toe weakness and pins & needles and tingling in my foot. I had a CT scan that showed 3 bulging discs with the largest one at L5/L6.
I've also had trouble finding any information on this but what I've been told is that it's a congenital birth defect (your bones just didn't form properly before birth) and there is no surgery that's going to fix it. Having this doesn't mean you will always have back problems, it just means you're maybe more prone to having them because you have more movement in your low back than the average person. However, some people go their entire lives without ever knowing they have this.
I've been working with a physiotherapist, going to the gym to strengthen my core muscles and swimming. Progress has been slow (especially with the weakness) but it's definately improving.
From what I read it is where the L5 is fused with the S1. It's like they are one bone instead of two. I googled it and found info but I can't post the websites because they belong to doctors. I hope that helps and I am so sorry you are having back pain. Its terrible and a long recovery but knowing whats really wrong is sometimes a big relief because you can then make a plan of what to do and where to go to get well.
Blessings,
Michelle
I had an MRI yesterday of my T spine to verify what the Xray said and my Dr called and said the MRI was good and nothing was wrong with my back other then the bone spur I have on my T9. Can this happen? Can there be something then not? What should I believe the xray or the mri? My pain is so excrutiating that I am mostly bedridden.
Can you get a referral to a spine specialist? I would try and see whatthey thought or if they thought more testing was in order. They can usually refer you to a good pain management doctor too.
Blessings,
Michelle
I have a sacralization of the 5th lumbar an my spine specialist
said it was quite common but was nothing to worry about.
It is not the reason why i am having so much pain!
I had a bulging disc at L4 which healed itself when i slipped on the stairs but am having facet joint problems.
There may be something else going on in there!
Get checked out a.s.a.p before you go through too much pain.
This is also called a "Bertolotti segment. It is a congenital defect and can cause more wear and tear over time on the disks above it because it is like one of the the back's "shock absorbers" is defective. (Mine is attached only on my left side. It happens in up to 3.5% of people.) I saw a physical therapist to help me with the eventual problems I developed from it. (bulging disk, sharp, sporadic pain in low back going into pelvis on my right side.) He's had me doing a lot of what he called "trans-ab" exercises...harder to target than just doing regular abs. I use an inflatable device under my low back called a "Chattanooga Stabilizer" that helps me hit the right muscles while doing these exercises. Also, I do a stretch lying on a table hanging my left leg off the table (my body turned a little at an angle) while pulling my right knee up to my chest/right armpit,and then pushing my knee outward as hard as I can (while pulling my knee backward towards my chest at the same) for 5 seconds 3-5 times twice daily. These things have helped a lot. Good luck!
