Sacralized Vertebrae

[KelliD]

My daughter was recently diagnosed with a sacralized vertebrae (we were looking for tethered cord, first MRI of the lumbar spine came back suspicious for tethered cord, second MRI of the whole spine showed a sacralized vertebrae and no tethered cord).

Can a sacralized vertebrae cause symptoms and if so is there treatment available?

Kelli

[manpt]

Ankylosing spondylitis???. Rare in females and usually occurs ages 15-35, more the younger side, but never have heard of sacralizing lumbar vertebrae with this. However, sacralization of a lumbar vertebrae occurs without any other disease process, Should have pain that wakes at night and never fully goes away, stiffness worse in morning if it is ankyspond, though hip pain not uncommon in females.
A sacralized vertebrae means your daughter cannot move at the last level of the spine and so yes, it can become painful as it changes the movement of the spine with walking and really anything else but isn't usually severe. Not much to be done for it in terms of changing the condition, but physical therapy can help improve strength and flexibility in other areas of the spine/hips and to treat acute flare-ups if and when they occur.