Bertolotti's and Back Pain in the Young Patient

Authors

Nathan T. Boykin, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Orthopaedic Spine

Advisor

Dr. Thomas Colletti

Abstract

Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) is one of the most common presenting complaints in medicine and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Oftentimes, the definitive etiology of CLBP in the young patient can be elusive and is often never established. The consequence of not establishing a pain generator for chronic lower back pain is that it results in generic treatment regimens that are often ineffective. This leads to persistent symptoms and potential long-term disability. Establishing a definitive diagnosis increases the likelihood of a successful treatment regimen being initiated. In the young patient with chronic lower back pain, a possible etiology is a symptomatic lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV)-known as Bertolotti’s syndrome. Bertolotti’s syndrome is an often unrecognized and/or overlooked potential etiology of CLBP in the young patient. Once the diagnosis is established, Bertolotti’s syndrome is treatable, potentially reducing long-term disability and its socio-economic sequelae. In this article, we discuss the anatomy, evaluation, diagnosis, classification, and treatment options for Bertolotti’s syndrome.

Recommended Citation

Boykin NT. Bertolotti's and Back Pain in the Young Patient. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2021; 4(1).