15 year old son with continuing back pain

[momhelpingson]

Dear Community,

My 15 year old son has been experiencing back pain for more than a year in his lumbar area.  After following exercises that didn't help, we were referred to a specialist for testing.  An MRI revealed a tranitional lumbosacral vertabrae, a disc bulge with superimposed protrusion on L4-5, and mild ligamentum flavum thickening at L2-L5.  My son's physician explained that she doesn't think these findings should be a cause for pain, but what I read suggests that it might and that physical therapy could be beneficial.  I am seeking help for his pain and ways for him to strengthen his back for the future.  Any help is appreciated!
Thank you.

[LazyMoose]

momhelpingson and Lefty67:

Not to barge in on someones thread, but I also have what you described. A chiro found it, but did not have a name for it. Never heard of '' pseudoarticulation' before. An ortho just blew me off when I showed him the x-ray and said a chiro noticed this.

Anyway, I'm 43 so had this a long time. Also have a tilted hip and leg that is 3/8 shorter. I have found that standard Physical therapy doesn't do a whole lot of help. But there is one brand of machine that does help, the Med - X lumbar strengthener. Its brutal at first. After 8-10 weeks most have regained strength. But then you have to be religious about lumbar extensions weekly or you will lose the strength it took so long to get.

[Lefty67]

Does the transitional vertebra have a pseudoarticulation on one side or the other? If so, this could be the source of the problem. A pseudoarticulation is when the transitional vertebra develops excess bone as if it wants to be a sacral vertebra on one side. It does not always fuse in with the sacrum though. This is easily visible on an x-ray.

I have a transitional vertebra with a pseudoarticulation on the right side. After almost 5 years I finally found a doc that takes this seriously. One injection down one coming up, and if the second injection has the same success as the first, we are going to be talking to a surgeon about removing the excess bone.

[Kalvin]

The source of his pain has to originate with his lumbosacral transitional vertebrae, which is seen is about 4 - 35% of the population, so its not that rare. Sometimes they cause problems and sometimes they don't. !5 year old boys don't normally have disc bulges, and there's nothing else in the report that could explain it.

Regardless of the source, and locating the source might not even be necessary, I think you're on the right track. Strengthening the muscles in that area will definitely go a long ways in helping. Hope he feels better.






(table II).

[momhelpingson]

Thank you.  Pain for more than a year in the lumbar area.  Hurts no matter what over the counter pain relief I give him.  Pain seems to be worse in morning.  Hurts to bend down or back.  Not in the legs.  Pretty much the complete MRI in a nutshell.  I am seeking ways to help him with this continuous pain that is impacting his life.  Starting high school soon, want him to flourish.  Happy, bright kid, we're just frustrated as to how to help him. ANY direction is appreicated.  Not in compettive sports but very active, no trauma.
THANK YOU

[Kalvin]

Exactly what type of pain is he having and where is it?  Is it all back pain or does he have some pain down the leg? Is that the complete MRI report?