Surgical Interventions for Bertolotti Syndrome: When Is Surgery Necessary?

If you are experiencing pain in your lower back, you could have a condition known as Bertolotti Syndrome. Your spinal surgeon can tell you more. Spinal surgeon Dr. Craig Callewart offers comprehensive spinal care, including diagnosis and treatment of Bertolotti Syndrome. He has three convenient office locations in Dallas, Forney, and Rockwall, TX.

What You Need To Know About Bertolotti Syndrome 

Bertolotti syndrome is a congenital spinal condition affecting about 4-8% of people. The condition may often be undiagnosed, so it is believed that more people are affected by it. Bertolotti syndrome results in the L5 vertebra being partially or fully fused with the sacrum. The exact cause of Bertolotti syndrome is not known; however, an underdeveloped iliolumbar ligament may be a contributing factor.

Bertolotti syndrome can produce several signs and symptoms, including:

• Lower back pain and stiffness
• Decreased range of motion in the lower back
• Nerve pain in the lower body, including the groin, hips, and sacrum

Your spinal surgeon may recommend non-invasive treatments initially, including:

• Taking anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling and pain
• Physical therapy to maintain and enhance flexibility
• Lifestyle modification to reduce activities that cause pain

The next step in treatment is to try corticosteroid injections into the area to relieve swelling and pain. If these treatments don’t provide enough relief, surgery may be indicated. There are several types of surgery your spinal surgeon may recommend. These include:

• Decompression surgery to shrink the size of bones so they don’t touch each other
• Fusion surgery to prevent movement in the affected area
• Transitional articulation resection, to reshape enlarged bones and remove joints

Want To Know More About Bertolotti Syndrome?

To discover more about Bertolotti Syndrome and when you might consider surgery, call spinal surgeon Dr. Craig Callewart. You can reach him in any of his three locations, Dallas, Forney, and Rockwall, TX, by calling (214) 271-4585, so call today.