The mega transverse process, also known as síndrome de Bertolotti, It is a little known cause of low back pain., but that should be known since it is a problem that can have very negative consequences on health. In this sense we are going to explain everything you need to know about it, so you know its symptoms, how it is diagnosed or treated, among others.
Index
What is a transverse process?
The transverse process in a part of the vertebra located on the side of the vertebral body. Serves as an anchor to the paravertebral musculature as well as the iliotransverse ligaments.
What is a mega transverse process or Bertolotti syndrome?
A mega transverse process it's a abnormal growth of the transverse process more caudal to the lower back. By increasing in size, it can come into contact with the sacrum or ileum., which can lead to an overload of the sacroiliac joint and cause pain.
According to different studies, it is estimated that between 4 and the 8% of people suffer from mega transverse process, and that the appearance of the symptoms of the same, what are we going to deal with later, is located in the age between 30 and 40 years.
Secondly, it must be emphasized that the mega transverse process or Bertolotti syndrome is more common in males, and also usually occurs to a greater extent on the left side, although the reason for this is unknown.
Secondly, It must be taken into account that we can find different types of transverse mega process, what are the following:
- Type I.. Transverse process greater than 19mm
- Type II. Lumbarization or sacralization of a vertebra associated with a diarthrodesis between the transverse process and the sacrum.
- Type III. The transverse process is fused with the sacrum.
- Type IV. There is a type II transverse mega process on one side and type III on the other.. In turn, the types are subdivided into a and b depending on whether they are unilateral or bilateral..
Symptoms produced by a mega transverse process
The mega transverse process It is a health problem that can present itself with different symptoms., the main ones being the following:
Low back pain
The low back pain is back pain that occurs between the buttocks and the last rib. The mega transverse process causes the existence of alterations at the level of the facet joints as well as imbalances in the musculature, especially in the lumbar picture and in iliopsoas.
sacroiliac pain
Impingement between the transverse process and the sacrum can overload the sacroiliac joint. Sacroiliac pain is characterized by low back pain that affects the gluteal area and, many times, down the thigh.
Sciatica
The increase in size of the transverse process can lead to a reduction in the space that the nerve root has to exit the lumbar canal, compressing it. When a root is compressed, there is intense pain that goes down the entire leg and is linked to a loss of strength, sensory disturbances and cramps.
Diagnosis of the transverse mega process
The easiest way to arrive at the diagnosis of a mega transverse process it is through a plain x-ray. In this way the doctor will be able to observe the size of the same.
Through magnetic resonance imaging and CT, it is possible to assess with greater precision the relationship between the transverse process and the sacrum. To confirm the diagnosis, it is often necessary to block the area using a local anesthetic and check if the pain decreases.. On many occasions, you can find that Bertolotti syndrome coexists with other reasons for low back pain..
Treatment of mega transverse process
When treating the mega transverse apophysis or Bertolotti syndrome It should be borne in mind that conservative treatment is usually started, in which recourse is had to anti-inflammatory, painkillers and physical therapy. through them is, many times, enough to be able to control the pain suffered by the patient due to his injury.
Nevertheless, in those cases in which the initial treatment is not effective, blocks can be carried out using corticosteroids or radiofrequency of the mega apophysis, so that it disable the nerves that transmit pain.
What's more, there is a third way which is the option surgical, which is mainly reserved for cases in which the patient suffers greater pain. Surgery in this case focuses on remove the transverse process, so that the pressure that it is exerting on the sacroiliac joint is relieved. The results of the surgery are usually very good., reaching significant improvements in the vast majority of patients.
Bertolotti syndrome is an underdiagnosed cause of low back pain that usually affects young people. As in a large number of occasions it goes unnoticed, it is advisable to go to specialists in spinal pathology, since in this case it is more likely that those skilled in the art will be able to recognize that it is a mega transverse apophysis or Bertolotti syndrome.
So that, Once all this information is known, you already know what the mega transverse process, the reasons why this problem can occur, which can be very painful, the symptoms that are more than evident when you have this problem and the different options that are used for its treatment.
Anyways, with any of the above symptoms, it is important to go to a professional who is in charge of evaluating your particular case and, based on it, to be able to determine the way in which that particular case should be dealt with. It is important to always put yourself in the hands of professionals in case of any ailment of this type to solve it as soon as possible..