transitional vertebrae

[wrighty75]

My mother has just been told she has a transitional vertebrae and she will have been born like that and has been offered physio therapy, she is in a great deal of pain and does not really understand what it is that is wrong with her and what can be done about it.9 she was told where there should be a gap in the bottom of her spine it is joint onto her coxics) She is in constant pain and has been for nearly 7 weeks now the Doctor carried out an x-ray which showed above. Is there any thing that can be done for her and is it likely to run in the family. Many thanks.

[jelkins]

I am 48 yrs. old.  I have known about my transitional vertebrae segment most of my life.  About 5 yrs ago, I was diagnosed w/ a herniated disc.  I elected to get the Charite ADR (artificial disc replacement).  The terrible pain that used to occur, after sitting for awhile or reaching down to pick up something, has dissappeared.  The ADR allows me to move in any direction, without compromising my back or hips.  The only thing I still have to deal with, is my facet joint arthritis - which started many years ago (probably due to the transitional segment).  I highly recommend the Charite ADR, although, make sure your health insurance will cover the procedure.  I was recently told that most of the well-known insurance companies will not cover the actual costs - only the cost of a fusion.  I will be seeing a doctor about a rhyzotomy (sp?) for the arthritis in my facet joint.

[lork58]

I have had 3 back surgeries and have been in terrible pain since.  I had an Ortho Dr. take a look at my MRI's and I was told I have a transitional vertebae along with DDD and Spinal Stenosis.  A Spinal fusion is the only thing that will correct my problem.  ( w/ the Trans Vertebrae).  I have been in Physical therapy for 2 years and not much has helped.  At this stage I have 2 Doctors telling me a Spinal fusion is the only thing at this point that will help me.  I workout 3 times a week and live with the pain until I make the decision to have the fusion.  I was 3 months pre-mature when I was born so my problem was w/ developement .  I use heating pads, Tens Unit, massage and lots of excercise to try and help but in the long run to be honest nothing seems to help with the pain.  Hope your mother can find some kind of relief.  I am still looking to find relief :(  

[Cgray]

I also have a transitional vertebrae and it does cause me pain.  My Dr. told me that this is the exact reason for the pain.  It can also create problems for the other discs in the lower region.   I was in massive pain for about 1 year until I was finally was able to see an Ortho Dr. and he was the one who figured it out and explained it to me.  The only thing that has helped me is Phys. Therapy, but it happens to be a different kind than just heat and exercise.  On me, he had to work my back right in that area to get it moving again. Sometimes the PT made it hurt worse, but eventually it really helped.  My Dr. said I will always have pain, but to what degree it is uncertain.  Exercise and getting your core strong will help too.

[heather489]

I have a transitional vertebrae and I was told that it often causes a leg length descrepency, because the pelvis is tilted to one side.  I wear a 1/4 inch cork lift, in my shoe, under the shorter leg and have never really had the extreme pain like I used to get.  The lift is made by a local shoe repair store and costs about $9. After a few months, I replace it since it gets packed down. I also teach kickboxing aerboics and try to keep my core strong. It really changed my life to get that lift in my shoe.

[Jen1432Roy]

I have a transitional Vertebrea also, hurts like hell all the time. My doctor doesn't think that it's what is causing my pain, but I'm only 26 and I don't really see what else it could be. I pointed to the exact place my pain was coming for (for about 3 or 4 years) and oddly enough the X-Rays taken of my back show this congential defect in that exact location. However my doctor says that that couldn't possibly be what's causing the pain. I find it hard to believe. I mean, I pointed to the spot that hurts, I have a defect there, but now they say that isn't what is causing the pain but can't give me a better reason for what could be causing the pain.  I fear that I will live my life in pain if I don't find a doctor who believes that I am telling the truth. They look at you like your a "druggie" or something if you ask for a pain prescription. I've been to 8 weeks of Phy Therapy but it didn't help. I've also been to the Chiropractor who helps a little, but I have to keep going back once a week at $30 a pop to even feel decent.