bertolotti syndrome

debera · Silver Member Joined: 03 May 2000 Posts: 273

It took me years to find that the name of the condition that I am suffering from is called "Bertolotti's Syndrome". All this time I had lower back pain. I don’t understand quite yet my condition. Doctor tried with steroids shots to reduce my pain, but that wasn’t long term solution. I started practicing yoga. I am having 30 min daily walks. I feel very exhausted. I don’t know what else I should do. What are treatments for Bertolotti's Syndrome?

boomershine · Silver Member Joined: 03 Feb 2001 Posts: 239

Treatment for Bertolotti's Syndrome is very controversial. I meant especially on the surgery, injections can provide relief, but the response from injections did not predict a successful surgery. Bertolotti's syndrome is mechanical low back pain. I read about the Bertolotti's syndrome surgeries and according to these reports most patients have pain even after the surgery, although there is a case of the surgical removal of an abnormal facet joint articulation resulted in a good outcome. You should try to find a doctor who is specialist for Bertolotti's syndrome.

jp · Newbie Joined: 28 May 2006 Posts: 7

I am new to the site. I too have bertolotti syndrome and find adjusting to the pain very difficult. My hobbies are hiking (with my dog) and gardening but in order to continue with these activities I need pain meds. On and On, but I am fortunate that I have a very flexible schedule so I can adjust my activities accordingly. I would like to hear from others that have the this syndrome.

mistyfunk · Newbie Joined: 10 Jun 2006 Posts: 1

Hi. I am an intern doctor at Texas Chiropractic College and also am in a yoga teacher training program at Yoga Rasa, both in Pasadena, TX. I want to combine yoga therapy and nutrition with chiropractic so I can offer my patients a more comprehensive approach to standard chiropractic care.

My first patient in the outpatient clinic on-campus at TCC, the Moody Health Center, has Bertolotti syndrome. I have been researching this condition and other factors that may be causing or aiding to his chronic low back pain. Since I have great interest in yoga, I am curious to see if "jp" found yoga to be helpful in this condition. Feedback would definitely be helpful. Thanks.

jp · Newbie Joined: 28 May 2006 Posts: 7

I am sorry I was so slow to respond. I lost track of this website and when I read the post I said "Boy that sounds like me and indeed it was my post. First off after reading the description of Bertolotti's snydrome I thought it sounded like my xray report but that was not stated. I have six identified lumbar vertebral bodies. The sixth vertebral body identified has partial sacralization with....articulation of the transverse process on the right of the sacrum. There may a diminutive rib off what is being called the first L1 vertebral body. So to answer your question if this sounds like your patient I would say Yes Yoga and nutrition is a wonderful way to ease in to fitness. Unfortunately for me I have recently had a MRI and it showed a bulging disk and narrowing spinal column...the good new is that I think with swimming on my back)... (freestyle put to much pressure on the lower spine) helped repair the damage and ease the pain. The report also said incidental findings Tarlov Cysts. I now think the diagnoses of mild intervertebral osteochondrosis and the pressure from the Tarlov Cysts are causing me a great deal of discomfort. I am still walking but I am in a great deal of pain. I don't think now I would start Yoga or any other exercise program. Walking means everything to me and that's where I put my energy. The pain doesn't make me want to stretch at all. I have a lot going on and I am taking step by step to tie these problems together and figure out what is the best treatment. I have started Neurontin and that seems to help along with Vicodin and IBprophen. I had a terrible reaction to Mobic. If any of your patients come to you while taking an ANti-inflamatory and complain of hot pain, in a centralized area take a look at there medication because I suffered for months with an intense burning. My doctor and I even increased the Mobic because we thought it was the arthritis. It was extremely uncomfortable. Good luck with your studies....

jp · Newbie Joined: 28 May 2006 Posts: 7

I too have lower back pain and suspect Bertolotti's. I have a Xray report that seems to fit the description. The only thing that differs is the fact I have six lumber vertebral bodies. But i have the sacralization and the..articulation of the transverse process on the right of the sacrum. The diagnoses Mild intervertebral osteochondrosis. I also walk and don't feel like doing much stretching because of the pain...Would like someone to chat with. Hope to have a reply.Thanks

SC · Newbie Joined: 17 Nov 2006 Posts: 1

I have just been diagnosed with the syndrom. I have been having lower back pain for awhile and then the doctors suspected a slipped disk so did and MRI scan. To which they noticed the condition which has now caused L4 and 5 to prolapse with irritation on nerve root L5. I have booked into have the epidural pain relief soon to help with the pain. any advice and help would be appreciated on what I can do to help reduce the pain through excersie as I really want to avoid having back surgery if I can.
Thanks in advance.

aashukapil · Newbie Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 2

Hi everyone,
I had been reading these posts, with lot of interest. Till now no doctor has use this term to identify my probelm, but going by all the posts and wikipedia answers, i m doubly sure that my sufferings are due to Bertolotti syndrom. Well being only 31 year, and so many more years to live, would surely like to find if any cure was discovered or established by the people who have posted under this section.
For now i m taking regular walks , which has reduced pain considerably. I would like to know typical yog aasans, targeting this syndrom.
I would post any thing, that could be of some use to all people.
Regards to all and good luck while under pain

Guest · Guest

I was diagnosed with Bertolloti's Syndrome in 1998 by an orthopaedic surgeon at The Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA. At that time, I had a sacralized L5 and a narrowing at the L4-5 disc space. The disc at the bottom of my spine is unusually thin, whereas in most people, that lowest disc should be thickest. I am told that this condition affects approximately 2% of the population, and it is congenital, but does not begin to cause pain until the 20's or 30's. I suffer mild pain and ache every morning. The surgeon did not recommend surgery to fuse vertabrae together until the pain was very significant and constant. Rather, he recommended regular and daily back exercises. For the past 8 years, I have been doing a series of exercises each morning that stretch my hamstrings and back muscles, strenghten my stomach muscles and effectively makes my lowest disc more supple. Lesson's learned - avoiding weight gain, strong stomach muscles and daily exercises are crucial to avoiding lower back pain.

Guest · Guest

My 13 year old daughter just had x-rays because of hip pain...and they showed she has unilateral sacralization of her L5 vertabrae. I don't know what any of this means....or what her treatment options may be. Can anyone help? My email is ozzyangel@sbcglobal.net

bertolotti syndrome

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