Bertolotti’s Syndrome is a very rare and unheard of syndrome. Yet, it is one that seems to be very common.

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Basic Definition: “Bertolotti syndrome is an uncommon cause of low back pain, particularly focused along the waistline slightly off to the side, that is often confused with sacroiliitis. Bertolotti syndrome is a diagnosis given to someone with symptomatic pain due to a transitional vertebra which is inflamed.”

What is Bertolotti’s syndrome? It is a sort of back pain that is commonly missed. It is usually present since childbirth but only really affects in the late teens-early thirties.

The pain is located usually in the Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae. In this sense most people with Bertolotti’s have a sixth vertebrae which is called the transitional vertebrae. The pain tends to be caused mostly when the vertebrae ends up fusing together.

It affects about 8% of the population.

Since it is close to the sacroiliac joint, it gets confused with other disorders.

Symptoms of Bertolotti’s syndrome? 

There aren’t many symptoms that differs from normal back pain. Some of the normal symptoms include;

• Stiffness
• Back Pain
• Back pain close to buttocks
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Anxiety

Treatments for Bertolotti’s Syndrome: 

• Physical Therapy
• Chiropractor
• Anti-Inflammatory Medication
• Injections
• Surgery (last resort)

The unfortunate part to this syndrome is, it is not very known and it is still in the works. Most medical professionals can see the issues that are present on the testings but since it is so uncommon this goes as undiagnosed.

*There is a possibility I suffer from this, as I have the 6th vertebrae and they are fused together. I will be seeing more health care professionals in order to see what can be done. But as mentioned in yesterday’s post I will be going for the injections very soon and hope they can provide temporary relief until I can find a health care professional who can do more.