Bertolotti's Sysndrom

[humphs60]

Just wondering how many people out there are dealing with this? I have been suffering for years only to have my doctors recommend shots, drugs, etc. that don't halp much at all. I only recently had an actual name for this provided to me.


This discussion is related to 'Bertolotti's Syndrome'.

[bookreader]

have just started reading up on this syndrome.  My pain started in my knee.  Therapy didn't help, an injections didn't do the trick either.  I have had x-rays and had a MRI about 6 weeks ago.  Therapy made my pain worse.  Now I am taking Celebrex, but it isn't helping.  I have another doctor's appointment coming up soon and he is going to want to inject my spine.  I know this because he actually mentioned it before.  When I take prednisone I have a reaction which makes my eyes feel as though they are going to pop out of my head.  When my knee was injected, a day later my eyes felt the same way, my face was very flushed, my heart seemed to race, felt yucky.  This ortho surgeon says that is just a normal reaction not an allergic one.  I'm worried about the injection and I don't know if it will help my pain.  I now have pain in my knee, thigh, hip, and back.  Sounds crazy, I know.  All this extra pain since I started therapy.  I no longer go.

I was always active, was walking four miles a day, using hand weights, loved hiking and gardening.  I always took care of myself and never worried about lifting something heavy, etc.

Any help would be appreciated.

[HeidiCrockett]

My pain started 4 years ago with pain in foot. Fast forward to today, I know it's caused by pseudoarticulation where my lowest transverse process (L5 or L6) is fused to hip bone (ilium/sacrum) on left side because fluorscopically-guided steroid injection stopped pain vs L4/L5 spine injection did nothing.  My pain radiates down to my right ankle.  Doctors looked at me funny when I said I'm on crutches because when I walk my back pain goes out of control.  RIDICULOUS it took an accidental xray 4 years later to figure out what's wrong with me, I have all the obvious symptoms of BS.  One woman said she had to go to 6 surgeons in Boston to find one knowledgeable about BS, I've gone to two locally and both were like "maybe SI joint?" blank stare "I don't care about you never visit my office again" message.  Find someone who is knowledgeable on BS, a SPECT/CT test can confirm pain pattern/that it's  Bertolotti's Syndrome

[HeidiCrockett]

Forgot to add that I take www.cardiacmiracle.com 6-12 scoops per day (2 scoops works like 2 ibuprofen AWESOME) to manage my pain, without the supplement I definitely would have had to be on pain meds which I refuse because I want a clear sharp mind. 200mg caffeine (Stay Awake brand Wal-mart) helps too, I take max one per day, and use a prescription SPS PowerCream K-L-B (compounded by pharmacy) includes topical lidocaine--rub on my back 4-6 times per day. I still have to take 500mg muscle relaxer or 2-6 ibuprofen per day if pain really bad. PEMF helps HEAL nerve injury, acupuncture and "cupping" help with pain, I can't confirm any other treatment actually WORKS to HEAL. I have tried every possible modality you can imagine: massage, chiro, nerve specialist PT, inversion table, prp injections, acupuncture. If money is an issue look for Community Acupuncture Clinic $15 per treatment for pain relief is good price: https://www.pocacoop.com/clinics/search-by-state/

[chefcindy46]

I just found this, and sent you a message. The only doctor I have found that knows anything about this Syndrome is in Cleveland Ohio. His name is Dr. Michael Steinmetz at the Cleveland Clinic. You can research him at their website.

As for the rest of your post, I answered that in the message.

Best of luck to you. God's Blessings,
Cindy

[humphs60]

Bertolotti's is a transitional vertabrae that 4 to 8% of the population has and many will not know as most doctors are clueless about this. I would not think that your knee pain can be related though since it is an issue usually with the L5 Lumbar Vertabrae.

It sounds like you have allergic reactions to cortisone & prednisone so I would stay away from it. As crazy as it sounds, I would suggest seeing a Chiropractr to see if it is just you being out of alignment. Many times when my back is in spasm the muscles pull my hip out and make it painful to walk, sit, sleep or anything else.

Good luck,


Ken

[TRhyno03]

Thank you so much for the links. I found out about my Bertolotti Syndrome back in 96. It was the usual MO, doctors couldn't find the cause of my pain, I was 19 and couldn't even tie my shoes. I found out about BS January of 08 and was almost relieved to find others experiencing the same things I was. I am now 31 and I fight everyday to manage the pain and make it livable.

[chefcindy46]

You are welcome. I hope they helped you find answers. And with any luck get the proper diagnoses from a doctor.

What people really need to understand is this IS a birth defect. It may not begin to show problems until there is an injury or something. We really need to be PROACTIVE when it comes to our health care. Take print outs to your doctor, insist on the proper tests to prove/disprove. And NEVER give up.

Keep up the good fight and God Bless,
Cindy

[jennldud]

First time reader and poster...After 3+ years of LBP on the right side, I became a regular with my Chiropractor.  We both scratched our heads--maybe thinking it was SI Joint issues causing the pain.  I finally sought out an Ortho who specializes in Spines and Hips.  Dr. Bernard Pfeifer of Lahey Burlington (Mass).  After looking at x-rays and a physical exam, he diagnosed with 99% certainty that I have Bertolotti's Syndrome.  He had a whole list of treatments from the basic pharmaceuticals (NSAIDS) all the way to surgery with everything in between.  I'd have to say the man is close to God in understanding the syndrome and how to best treat it.  I'm still in the initial treatment stages--MRI next week with a follow up on PT.  I'm a personal trainer and yoga instructor as it is so I've been coping with the pain for some time trying to "stretch" what I thought were tight hip flexor and lumbar/spinal muscles.  The kickboxing class I also teach certainly hasn't made it easy.  Needless to say, having an idea of a diagnosis and a direction to head has lifted a huge weight off my mind and shoulders.  I hope any other LBP sufferers in the greater Boston area who come across this thread look into Dr. Pfeifer in Burlington.  Best of luck to you, and speedy treatment!