Extra Lumbar Vertebra/ Mutations

[Scorpion]

Dr. Young,

Back in college in Anatomy & Physiology class I learned that in rare instances, humans are born with 6 lumbar vertabrae instead of 5. Have you studied this at all and do you know how it might affect the spinal cord and nerve roots?

I guess I'm just curious as this kind of thing fascinates me. I was born with two extra fingers, so I'm a bit of a mutant myself. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif They had tiny fingernails, but no bone or apparent muscle, so both were 'tied off' after birth. My younger brother was born with one extra, and my folks were told if they had any more kids they would like be 'polydactyl' as well. Too bad I wasn't born with a redundant CNS like a Klingon. OK, my geekiness is starting to show, so I'll shut up now.

~Rus

"Because you're not promised tomorrow." ~ Stuck Mojo

[Wise Young]

Rus,

Very interesting. A number of people (I was not able to identify a reliable source of the incidence of such an occurrence) have a 13th rib, usually from L1 vertebra. This is often associated with a 6th lumbar vertebra. Such an extra vertebra is sometimes called a transitional vertebra. Accordin to the following web site

http://www.vh.org/Providers/Textbooks/AnatomicVariants/SkeletalSystem/Text/LumbarVertebrae.html

the incidence of a transitional vertebra is 4.2% in a very large series of skeletons (4200). Also, lumbosacral transitional vertebrae vary by race.

Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae were found to vary by race. It was reported that they were present in 18% of Australian aboriginals (Mitchell), 16% of Indians (Bustami), 10% of Arabs (Bustami), 8.1% of natives of Britain (Brailsford), and 5.8% of Japanese (Toyoda). Bustami studied 340 sacra of two population groups (Arab and Indian). Of these 340 sacra, 32 or 9.4% showed evidence of unilateral sacralization and 14 or 4.1% showed bilateral sacralization. Lumbarization was no found in the 340 sacra examined. Sacralization was present to some degree in 46 specimens (13.5%). The incidence of total sacralization was 10% in Arab and was 16% in Indian population groups. Arab males had a higher incidence in all stages of sacralization while it was the Indian females that showed the higher incidence in their group.

You may be interested to find that while the homo sapien is characterized by having five lumbar vertebra but homo erectus (the first of the human skeletons found in Africa, including Lucy and australopithecus africanus skeletons) typically had 6 lumbar vertebra. The presence of a 13th rib is of passing interest from the point of view of the Bible which suggests that God made Eve from the 13th rib of Adam.

http://www.angelfire.com/mi/dinosaurs/erectus_ribs.html

Animals generally have more vertebra than humans. For example, most animals have 12-15 thoracic vertebrae and 6-7 lumbar vertebrae although some whales may have as many as 20 lumbar vertebrae. Cows have 13 thoracic and 6 lumbar vertebrae. Pigs have 13-17 thoracic vertebrae and 5-7 lumbar vertebrae. Sheep have 13-14 thoracic vertebrae and 6 to 7 lumbar vertebrae. In contrast, almost all mammals have 7 cervical vertebrae, including human.
http://www.earthlife.net/mammals/skeleton.html

Wise

[cheesecake]

Can you explain what co-joined nerve roots are? I was told it is a congenital defect but had no awareness of it until my injury. It showed on the MRI and is part of the reason I did not have the type of recovery and the motor and sensory loss was greater. Is this uncommon or something that people have but are never aware of until a problem arises?
Thanks

[Scorpion]

Thanks, Dr. young. I'm going to check out those links as well.

~Rus

"Because you're not promised tomorrow." ~ Stuck Mojo

[Wise Young]

Cheesecake,

A huge variety of spinal cord anomalies occur. These include co-joined roots where one or more roots, instead of each coming out separate through the appropriate opening of the spinal column, join and come out in the wrong opening. I am no t sure why this should change the recovery from spinal cord injury.

Several anomalies of the spinal column are very well known to increase the risk of spinal cord injury. The most prominent of these is stenosis of the cervical or lumbar canal, where t he space in which the spinal cord resides is narrowed. Football players who have stenosis are more likely to get paralysis when hit.

Do you have scoliosis? This also predisposes to spinal cord injury. Interestingly, for reasons that are not well-under stood, scoliosis is much more common in females than males. Scoliosis is also associated with a high incidence of tethering of the spinal cord which predisposes to greater risk and severity of spinal cord injury.

Wise.tm

[TraciLeigh]

I've got a 6th lumbar vertebrae. It was discovered after I was in a terrible auto accident 25 years ago. Since that time, I have had a "bony protrusion" growing on the left side of my lower back. It has been surgically removed three times, but continues to reoccur.
I've suffered severe back pain for the last 25 years. Recently I found a new pain management doctor, who has actually studied my problem (gasp/ a real doctor who wants to know WHY I hurt, instead of one telling me that I don't hurt at all).
New x-rays I had done last week show that the "bony protrusion" is actually the L6 vertebrae, and it is growing sideways to the left. It is a huge plate of bone that has actually partially fused with my illium (hip bone). It appears that I have broken this bone multiple times during the normal course of daily motion. It explains why my pain is so very intense at times that I can't breathe, and why after about 2 months I feel better for a while. Then it seems to break again, at the place where it wants to grow to the illium. Then I have two broken bone edges that rub against each other until they begin to knit again. And then it breaks again.
My doctor doesn't know how to fix this. He is contacting surgeons, but not having any luck so far.
Has this happened to anyone else? If so, was it fixed? How?
At this point I am living my life on pain pills which only help a little. I am in almost constant pain and now afraid to do simple things like walk or sweep a floor.
Any help or suggestions would be most appreciated. I would be happy to provide links to the X-rays if it would help. (I'll get them scanned or something, just let me know).

[FreeBird]

My mom was missing one. You figure? I just consider it an abnormality.

[Kaprikorn1]

My son also has the "extra one"...discovered during Army induction physical. Has never caused him any trouble.

Kap

[Wise Young]

I've got a 6th lumbar vertebrae. It was discovered after I was in a terrible auto accident 25 years ago. Since that time, I have had a "bony protrusion" growing on the left side of my lower back. It has been surgically removed three times, but continues to reoccur.
I've suffered severe back pain for the last 25 years. Recently I found a new pain management doctor, who has actually studied my problem (gasp/ a real doctor who wants to know WHY I hurt, instead of one telling me that I don't hurt at all).
New x-rays I had done last week show that the "bony protrusion" is actually the L6 vertebrae, and it is growing sideways to the left. It is a huge plate of bone that has actually partially fused with my illium (hip bone). It appears that I have broken this bone multiple times during the normal course of daily motion. It explains why my pain is so very intense at times that I can't breathe, and why after about 2 months I feel better for a while. Then it seems to break again, at the place where it wants to grow to the illium. Then I have two broken bone edges that rub against each other until they begin to knit again. And then it breaks again.
My doctor doesn't know how to fix this. He is contacting surgeons, but not having any luck so far.
Has this happened to anyone else? If so, was it fixed? How?
At this point I am living my life on pain pills which only help a little. I am in almost constant pain and now afraid to do simple things like walk or sweep a floor.
Any help or suggestions would be most appreciated. I would be happy to provide links to the X-rays if it would help. (I'll get them scanned or something, just let me know).

Approximately 10% of adults have some kind of spinal cord anomaly. Some 2-3% of the population (depending on the race) have a 13th thoracic vertebrae (made infamous because of the 13th rib that God took from Adam to make woman). Some people have "cervical ribs".

One of the most common spinal anomaly is a 6th lumbar vertebrae. It rarely causes back problems except when it is fused with the sacrum (Source (http://www.spine-health.com/topics/anat/confusion/confusion04.html)). This sacralization does cause pain, as you describe. Most doctors initially try to treat this conservatively with steroid injections. Surgery may be necessary.

Wise.

[Jeffery]

I have a hemisacralization (6th lumbar vertebra fused to my sacrum). If anyone doubts that great pain results from this condition, he/she is WRONG. I have had terrible pain since I was "jarred" in a wreck about a year and half ago. The only relief that I seem to get is to lie in bed for a day or two after trying to maintain a normal routine for the rest of the days of any given week.
I would appreciate any input from anybody out there regarding this situation. I hope that this isn't all that I have to look forward to from now on since I'm only 38 right now.

[titlegoeshere]

I also have a sacralization of the 6th lumbar vertebrae. It is completely fused on the right side and the left side has an extra piece of bone as well as a joint. The thing that is uncommon about my abnormality is that I also have an extra disc for L6. I have a buldging disc and a pinched nerve. I experience tingling, numbness, and excrutiating pain. I was a gymnast for about 15 years and it never caused me any trouble until I got in a sledding accident and hyperextended my back. Now I feel as if I can barely even get up in the morning. I do notice that if I try to rest it only makes my symptoms worse. I try to stay as active as I can to allow for a better range of motion. I am only 22 years old and would appreciate any input that anyone has to offer. I am also looking for a non-surgical orthopedist who specializes in this syndrome. From the research and case studies that I have read there is no sign of improvement after surgery therefore I am trying to find something else other than drugs that will work or at least alliviate some pain. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. I need some hope. Thanks again.

[wheeliecoach]

I know someone who had 13 thorasic vertebrae...not 12. In fact, he injured T-13 in a climbing accident which is why he is in a chair now. Go figure.

[Wise Young]

I also have a sacralization of the 6th lumbar vertebrae. It is completely fused on the right side and the left side has an extra piece of bone as well as a joint. The thing that is uncommon about my abnormality is that I also have an extra disc for L6. I have a buldging disc and a pinched nerve. I experience tingling, numbness, and excrutiating pain. I was a gymnast for about 15 years and it never caused me any trouble until I got in a sledding accident and hyperextended my back. Now I feel as if I can barely even get up in the morning. I do notice that if I try to rest it only makes my symptoms worse. I try to stay as active as I can to allow for a better range of motion. I am only 22 years old and would appreciate any input that anyone has to offer. I am also looking for a non-surgical orthopedist who specializes in this syndrome. From the research and case studies that I have read there is no sign of improvement after surgery therefore I am trying to find something else other than drugs that will work or at least alliviate some pain. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. I need some hope. Thanks again.

Your description suggests that your problem is not necessary the sacralization but trlikely aumatic injury to your spinal ligaments and hernation of your disc. I am not sure what research and case studies you have been looking at but perhaps the more relevant literature is not sacralization but disc herniation and back pain, particularly if you did not have any of these problems before your accident.

Surgery for lumbar disc herniation is generally effective for neurological deficits, particularly if it is done early enough. There have been few or no randomized studies on the subject. However, very large series of cases have shown that 80-90% of the people have relief or at least stabilization of their neurological deficits. Reoperations are usually less than 10% (Source (http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/8/2)).

Surgery has not been as successful for relief of pain but one reason may be the tendency of doctors and patients to delay the surgery for too long and the patients develop what may be a combination of neuropathic and backpain. Minimally invasive surgery for lumbar disc hernations have better track record in terms of relieving pain. Likewise, minimally invasive surgery to relieve posterior annulus compression and subtotal discetomy have been reported to be more successful than open surgery and fusion (Source (http://www.spine-dr.com/site/surgery/surgery_article3.html)).

Common sense suggests that if your back pain is interfering with your function and it is not responding to conservative therapy, you should consider surgery. If there is no clear disc herniation that is compressing on a nerve, minimally invasive surgery to eliminate annular compression may be considered. Exercises and posture is very important afterward. Reducing weight and (if you smoke) quitting smoking really makes a big difference.

Wise.

PS I am moving this to the care forum

[Broknwing]

I, too am among the population of people with extra vertebrae....I have an extra Lumbar L6(well, HAD before I shattered L1 LOL), AND essentially an S6/extra tailbone segment....This has caused my legs to be significantly diff lengths and whereas it was never an issue pre-injury, it's def been a difficulty with walking/gait patterns post injury...

[hulagirl]

My mom was missing one. You figure? I just consider it an abnormality.

Funny you should mention this...... My Grandmother has the extra, my dad is missing his and my brother, sister and I all have the extra..... but it is not genetic you know.....lol. Thats what I have been told by several chiropractors.

[hulagirl]

I also have the L6 which is fused to my tailbone on one side. (im sure the cause of one of my legs being 7mm longer than the other) I dont remember having any lower back pain before I had children..... This seems to be the case with others too....no problem until an injury. I do notice the pain is much less if I wear the heel lift that was prescribed by my chiro....but....how do you wear a heel lift with flip-flops????? I also have bone spurs and nearly phase 2 degeneration in my neck from several car accidents about 20 years ago...... Can I get a new spine please???? Im not sure what the answer is or if there is one to aleviate these 2 problems, if you have one I would love to hear it.

[SCI-Nurse]

Not genetic that they know of.
My husband has conjoined nerve roots- two nerves where one should be, the slightest disc herniation causes him pain and he had to have a laminectomy with just minimal disc herniation due to the two nerves takin gup more space. Surgery done by a neurosurgeon. He has been doing fine since- 10 years ago. I suggest you have a neurosurgeon look at the problems first, before the orthopedist- my biased opinion.

CWO

[TommyBoy]

Approximately 10% of adults have some kind of spinal cord anomaly. Some 2-3% of the population (depending on the race) have a 13th thoracic vertebrae (made infamous because of the 13th rib that God took from Adam to make woman). Some people have "cervical ribs".

One of the most common spinal anomaly is a 6th lumbar vertebrae. It rarely causes back problems except when it is fused with the sacrum (Source (http://www.spine-health.com/topics/anat/confusion/confusion04.html)). This sacralization does cause pain, as you describe. Most doctors initially try to treat this conservatively with steroid injections. Surgery may be necessary.

Wise.
Wise,

I could really use some advice.

I'm 32 years old with the same condition as Jeffery (6th lumbar vertebra fused to sacrum). I just got my MRI results back and my GP is still seeking clarification from the radiologist on what exactly they found, but this term was mentioned in the report.

I was in enough pain the first visit to my doc that they thought I had a kidney infection. The second time I couldn't sit in a chair and straighten either leg up or lean forward and going up and down stairs felt like my vertebrae were grinding or slamming into each other. Getting out of a chair after an hour of sitting was awful, like my lower back was slowly un-kinking itself. The doc thought for sure it was a disc problem.

Up until now I have been pretty healthy. I'm a large-framed guy who could stand to lose some weight, but I lift, jog, swim, play basketball, eat OK and have been doing that kind of exercise routine for over a year without any issues.

I've had no major health issues previous to this. I don't want to be pounding Naproxen sodium and Lortab this young and worry about long term effects. Taking it easy for almost 4 weeks has not seemed to help at all with this condition.

I get pain radiating up the pack of my neck sometimes that feels like an artery is throbbing (this is actually how the pain first started before I figured out the epicenter was at the base of my spine).

What is my best course of action with this condition?

[bob clark]

Dr. Young,

I guess I'm just curious as this kind of thing fascinates me. I was born with two extra fingers, so I'm a bit of a mutant myself. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif They had tiny fingernails, but no bone or apparent muscle, so both were 'tied off' after birth. My younger brother was born with one extra, and my folks were told if they had any more kids they would like be 'polydactyl' as well. ~Rus

"Because you're not promised tomorrow." ~ Stuck Mojo

Hi Rus,

My friend has what appears to be 2 ankles on each leg/foot. "They've" never given him any problems with walking. I haven't seen any x-rays so can't say if he actually has 2 ankles per or if he just has some type of bone protusion above or below his actual ankle. They've served him well as a great ice-breaker with the women! :)

Tom Dempsey or as he was affectionately nicknamed "Stumpy", who played for the New Orleans Saints, tied the world's record for the longest field goal ever kicked - 63 yards. He shares the honor with Jason Elam.

I wondered if his malformed foot gave him an unfair advantage... the issue was raised when he kicked the 63 yarder to win a game against the Detroit Lions 19-17 on November 8, 1970. He was also born without any fingers on his right hand.

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4056/1849/320/Tom_dempsey.jpg

Bob.

[Soveh]

I was born with a 6th lumbar vertabrae. Everyone keeps telling me that there is no way it could cause me pain, yet all I can remember since I was very young is the pain in my lower back. I was told about this extra by a chiropractor that had taken x-rays before treating me approx. 14 years ago. This was verified recently by my family physician. I have, for the most part learned to live with the pain I experience, even when it gets so bad I can hardly move. I push the pain aside mentally and just go on, though it is very hard some days. My lower back just before my menses start is horrific, but it lets me know when my very erratic cycle is about to begin. So in some ways the pain can be a good thing. From what I have been reading, pain is not usually associated with having a 6th lumbar vertebrae, am I just unusual in the fact that I do???:confused:

[acr2011]

I a sixth lumbar. I had no idea until i had a football accident in sixth grade. When i found out they just said that it would be fine and just to rest. About two and a half years later the same injury reoccured. Now i have to "pop" in my lower back almost daily. If i dont it could cause my back to spasm or stiffen up. I can still play all of the sports and do well in them. I am generally more flexible than most people and i have been told my extra vertibrea is the cause. It is a burden and a gift.

[hopejwilliams]

Hi, my name is Hope. I am 43, Until April of 2007, I had never even had a muscle spasm, much less back/leg pain. After 6 docs, I finally went to the Hughston Clinic in Columbus, Ga. It was there that I learned I have an L6. After a Myelogram, the radiologist conclusion was this:
L4-L5 disc protrusion
L5-L6 disc protrusion
L6-S1 disc protrusion
S1 joint fused on both sides
L6 fused on right only.
I too feel like a medical mystery. My pain was not "classic" so the diagnosis was difficult. I have learned that I was a DES baby. I was born with 12 toes as well. I suffered with reproductive issues w/complete hysterectomy at 22 after 8 abdominal surgeries. This was a direct cause of the DES my mother received while pregnant w/me. Does anyone know if this is relevant to these extra "bone" formations?
My doc in Columbus did surgery on me 8 days ago. He went in and did a general clean up on my L6, Bone spurs, L6-S1 facets were completely compressing the nerve and he opened it up and did a spinal decompression. I am much better, however, I am starting to see a slight return of the pain. Anyone with advice or info, please let me know. Thank ya'll, Hope

[bellybigbootz]

I was born with a 6th lumbar vertabrae. Everyone keeps telling me that there is no way it could cause me pain, yet all I can remember since I was very young is the pain in my lower back. I was told about this extra by a chiropractor that had taken x-rays before treating me approx. 14 years ago. This was verified recently by my family physician. I have, for the most part learned to live with the pain I experience, even when it gets so bad I can hardly move. I push the pain aside mentally and just go on, though it is very hard some days. My lower back just before my menses start is horrific, but it lets me know when my very erratic cycle is about to begin. So in some ways the pain can be a good thing. From what I have been reading, pain is not usually associated with having a 6th lumbar vertebrae, am I just unusual in the fact that I do???:confused:
i have the sixth lumbar and i suffer lots, i am on painkillers most weeks and am unable to do general family stuff when it is bad, though i do have weeks at a time when i don't suffer at all. i also have more pain when i am due on. more pain in winter. always pain after long walks - which i try to avoid. my step-mother also suffers in a similar way and has the same extra vertebra.

[ggmac07]

I am 21, but my problems started at 17 when i was diagnosed with a ruptured disc at L4, L5 or L5 S1 depending on how you see it. I have an extra vertabrae and am 1 yr post surgery now with greater pain than before. I take bottles of pain killers and muscle relaxors a month. Nonthing seems to work anymore and i am really losing hope. I think my pain is primarily associated around muscular skeletal pain and nerve damage. No nerve medicine seems to work for very long for me. Does anyone have any suggestions, advice, anything?!?!

[Ben6713]

Hi I am a 48 year old Australian male who also has the additional lumbar vertebra. It was first identified when my back "went out" as a seven year old and my parents took me to the doctor to find out why I couldn't move. As well as identifying the additional vertebra they diagnosed Scheurmanns Disease. While I have had somoe occasional but intense pain in the past that can severly limit my ability to interact normally and can take up to a week to disappear I find that it reduces in frequency and intensity when I exercise regularly. My parents are L6 free but my Aunt has the additional vertebra. When I was 7 the doctors said it was natures way of helping us walk upright....Interesting concept.

[130606]

i Also Have 6 Lumbar Vertebra Left Hip Pain Flared Up After Having Childeren Last One To Sleep First To Get Out Of Bed Some Days Better Then Others Doc. Seems To Ignore My Complaints Them He Finally Did X Rays And Found The Extra And Thats .i Also Have C1 And C2 Congenital Abnor. W/ Some Pinching And Bulging Disc . From Top To Bottom Of My Neck Minor Sten. In My Kneck I Think I Need And Mri On My Back?

[giftandcurse]

Hello all!!
I have a L6 and 13th rib which is fusing to my hipbone. This has been causing me to have sciatica (so I was told by doctors) and pain through my right abdomen. I have been to chiropractors since I was 7 years old when they found this after a quad accident which left me unable to move for two days. On top of that, when I was 14, I was in a car accident and fractured my C7.
I am now 27, athlethic and active, and have been experiencing serious back pain and abdomen pain. The last doctor I visited advised me to take anti-inflammatories and see him in a week. The anti-inflammatories worked for a few days and now I am in pain again.
Would anyone advise me to see a certain type of doctor? Is surgery necessary? Is there hope for us mutants?
Any more information would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you.

G&C

[SCI-Nurse]

I am not sure whether surgery is necessary or not. I would guess that it is dependent on the symptoms that anyone has and whether or not there is any other way to manage them.

If you need to see someone to help manage this, I would suggest either a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon.

CKF

[gypsy_missy@hotmail.com]

Hi! I recently found out something very interesting about my eight year old daughter. In the last 2 years we have all noticed that she has been developing a bit of a "sway"back, meaning that her back is not of a normal curvature. Despite trying to encourage proper posture and being physically active to help her spine reach a normal curve, it seems to have gotten worse. She tends to stick her tummy out, and to be honest it is sometimes quite ghastly when one looks at her side profile...it definately does not look natural, haha!! I decided to get her checked out to make sure she did not have any abnormal spinal formations, and to find a way to correct her exaggerated curvature. Her family doctor did a few simple tests, and suspected something and ordered some xrays. Upon reviewing the x-rays he informed us that she had a 6th lumbar vertebrate when most of us humans have 5. He said it was nothing to worry about, and we should help her to do abdominal excercises as well as other things to help correct her posture...and it would get better as she grew older. He joked that she would probabley make and excellent gymnastics student as she had more flexibility than most people.

I am utterly facinated by this phenomenon. To my knowledge there is no one on either side of the family who has this condition, but then again not everyone has had xrays or a doctor prove it. She is of polish, scottish, irish, and german descent...as well as there has been hints of cree or metis blood in my family on my fathers side. I am curious to learn more about this, and have been told while doctors do see it from time to time, it is somewhat rare...perhaps 3-4% of the population are affected with this. I also read that it is very common for people who have the 6th lumbar vertebrate to also have a 13 rib. I am quite fond of science, and although I have no degree, I have studied a lot on genetics, world history, religion, and other interesting things. If anyone is able to shed some more light on this and why it occurs, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

[canadeh]

I have 8 cervical vertibrae. My chiropracter says he sees more people with the extra vertibrae than the general population. Why? What is the portion of the population? Just curious.

[ed31]

Hi, have 8 cervical vertibrae, I will have a problem for this? Sorry I don´t speak english, a little....

[phills121]

I have recently found out that I have a 6th vertebrate and was confused. I started having back pains when I was 20 and never did anything about it because I was younger and dumber then. After having gotten to the point where I didn't even want to put weight on it I knew something had to be done. The lovely doctor that I went to said that I didn't need to have an appointment with a spinal surgeon and that I could very well just keep taking the naproxin that i have and when needed take one of the hydrocodones. I never knew that extra lumbar vertebrates, ribs and the sort existed and am pleased to know that i am one of about 10% of the people who have it.

[kristie]

I have had unexplained lower back pain for the last 10 years. Every doctor I see tells me I have an "extra lumbar vertebrae". I am just wondering if it being fused to the sacrum is something that is easily seen on an MRi. I just had one done yesterday and the dr could fine no cause of the pain. I KNOW I have back pain but no doctor can find where it is coming from. Should I ask my doc to pull out the MRI and look to see if I have fusing there? The pain is right the the outside of the small of my back. Sometimes when it is hurting really bad, it will swell up around the painful area and be really tender to the touch.

[SCI-Nurse]

Did the doctor suggest a myelogram? sometimes things can be better seen on myelogram thatn MRI.But an extra bone or fused sacrum should be able to be seen on plain x-ray also.

CWO

[kulikowt]

I see a lot of us have extra vertebrae but do many have an extra rib as well? Just wondering if the congenital defect for the vertebrae is close to the gene for ribs as well.

Tim

[l1952@windstream.net]

Five vertebral bodies with definite lumbar configuration with sacralization of L6 with mild to moderate degenerative change including facet arthrosis, especially of the lower lumbar spine with spina bifida occulta at that level as well. I would like to know if this causes all of my lower back pain and what can be done to help this pain.

[SCI-Nurse]

I am going to pass this on to Dr. Yound for comment.....

CKF

[yandi1]

hey i was just wondering about a lower lumbar sacral anomily i dont quite understand what it is haha i was told i have this earlyer this year it took so long to find out what was causing me pain and i would just like to know a bit more about it thnx.

[billwhite]

I have the extra lumbar vertebrae and it is partially fused. I have at times had extreme lower back pain, where I could hardly stand to stand up or walk and had the sciatica type symptoms.

One thing I have found that has almost eliminated my pain altogether is the use of a roman style device at the gym. In this machine, you lay on your stomach at about a 45 degree angle, your feet are held down by steel plates, and you lay your hips on a padded bar, then you lean all the way over like you are going to touch the floor, then slowly raise your self up to look straight ahead, hold, then lower and repeat. It's a very simple exercise, and it strengthens the lower back muscles. I do about 10-20 reps on this every other day and my back rarely ever hurts if I do it regularly.

Obviously if you have herniated discs or other serious back issues, you'd want to consult your Dr. before doing it. In my case, I had a scoliosis between the shoulder blades from a car accident, but it's all but corrected now.

It seems that when you strengthen the back muscles they hold things in the proper places and it alleviates the pain, at least in my experience.

Hope it helps from what it's worth.

Best,
Bill

[Gina08]

I am now 19 years old. When i was 17 years old, i was in a car accident during the month of April, then in the November of that year i went to a chiropractor for the first time, i was having numbness and stabbing pains in my legs. The chiropractor did some x-rays and then told me some very important news about my back. He said that my sacrum did not form correctly when i was a baby, that the top section of my sacrum, started to form the way it was supposed to, but then decided to form into an extra vertebrae. The extra vertebrae is pinching off the nerves going through my legs, and to this day i am still having numbness and stabbing pains. The chiropractor also mentioned that in 30 years or so i can have surgery to have the extra vertebrae removed. It is hard for me to be a normal 19 year old because i do have back pain, and it is not very common for a person to be born with an extra lumbar vertebrae from the way i understand it.

[beeatsmilecenter]

OMG! I am a new member and was hoping to find someone with a similar situation. I recently found out that I have L6 vertebrae as well after a debilitating movement which caused me to feel paralized. I apparently have the bony protrusion from this vertabrae growing towards the illium too. It is pinching on the sciatic nerves which explains the sudden onset of pain and lack of mobility. I have been dealing with this chronic condition for years. I have paid a lot of money on chiropractic treatment and cant believe that they are just noticing it now. My chiropractor says that his approach with me will not be that different. I just need more sessions and be very ergonomically aware. I literally found out today and feel that I need to do more research and see what my primary care doctor recommends. Im sorry I dont have answers but hope to be able to probe you more in hopes of understanding our unique situation. Good luck. I will hopefully have more relavent information soon.I've got a 6th lumbar vertebrae. It was discovered after I was in a terrible auto accident 25 years ago. Since that time, I have had a "bony protrusion" growing on the left side of my lower back. It has been surgically removed three times, but continues to reoccur.
I've suffered severe back pain for the last 25 years. Recently I found a new pain management doctor, who has actually studied my problem (gasp/ a real doctor who wants to know WHY I hurt, instead of one telling me that I don't hurt at all).
New x-rays I had done last week show that the "bony protrusion" is actually the L6 vertebrae, and it is growing sideways to the left. It is a huge plate of bone that has actually partially fused with my illium (hip bone). It appears that I have broken this bone multiple times during the normal course of daily motion. It explains why my pain is so very intense at times that I can't breathe, and why after about 2 months I feel better for a while. Then it seems to break again, at the place where it wants to grow to the illium. Then I have two broken bone edges that rub against each other until they begin to knit again. And then it breaks again.
My doctor doesn't know how to fix this. He is contacting surgeons, but not having any luck so far.
Has this happened to anyone else? If so, was it fixed? How?
At this point I am living my life on pain pills which only help a little. I am in almost constant pain and now afraid to do simple things like walk or sweep a floor.
Any help or suggestions would be most appreciated. I would be happy to provide links to the X-rays if it would help. (I'll get them scanned or something, just let me know).

[WilliamFolk92]

I have a 6th lumabar at 5' 5". It hurts when i squat lift thats it.

[Ken Fontana]

amazing to find so many others!

I have an L6th that is mutated. It is approximately 4 1/2 to 5 inches wide, fused to my pelvis on my left side, on my right, it touched only well enough for my body to create what my Dr. says can only be described as a knuckle.

Enormously active in my youngers years with intense physical training and work. Never had an issue until I took an empty canvass suitcase from my closet and bent over to set it on the floor. Locked up like mad.

Been dealing with chiropractic care for years in which they press my L5 and L4 foward and then do the left side, left leg straight out with bent right knee and then the reverse on the right side.

It doesn't normally bother me and I still lead a fairly active lifestyle and it NEVER comes out of place or creates pain on exertion. Every time I run into a problem it is in bending over, slightly to the side and with little to no weight which I'm told means that it had been working it's way out from something I did the day or two before.

Nice to see others discussing. I will say, when the pain flares up from whatever is going on down there, it's almost unbearable.

[mbrannan]

I have a fused tail bone, so does my sister and my brother. I have one other brother that is unsure if he has a fused tail bone; however we all have lower back problems. Me and my sister also have a strait c-spine or reverse curve in our neck combined with the fused tail bone. me and my sister also have to get our ribs at the level of the sternum realined at the ciropractor ocassionaly beacuse our spine does not absorb shock very well. The fused and 6th sacrum are hereditary. They have to be.

[Zizzy]

I have read there is some connection to my Type O- blood and the 6th lumbar. I have never experienced issues with my extra lumbar.
Also have other common characterisitics of others with 0-. High Iron in blood, issues all my life with shorting out appliances, printers, watches, etc. ( My father had the same issue big time). Low, low Blood pressure, body temp and 65 regular pulse. Otherwise very healthy and rarely even have a cold. 54 years old.:thumb:

[JeanBean]

I have the extra 6th vertebrae. My chiropractor has said there is no reason to believe that it is the cause of my pain. All I know is that when it pinches, I can be knocked out of commission. I went into the hospital and received a muscle relaxer in my butt. I could not move in any direction except up and down slowly. Up to this point, I have been active. I have done aerobics exercise. I have been involved in running for a short period of time but I have stopped. I tried to walk but then soon found out that walking is just about as strenuous as running. I injured my fascia. Anyway, I am living every day in pain with most of it in the morning. I sleep so much longer now. It seems as if I am in a "coma" like state. Of course, I am not but I joke about it that way because I am out for hours at a time. Maybe because of not sleeping well. I don't know but I have cut back on the exercise to try my theory about exercise exacerbating the situation. Well, that theory hasn't worked out either. I have pain no matter what. No matter how I look at it there is pain and I will be having this pain for much longer than I really would like to have it for. I don't like to take medicines. I prefer to stay away from chemicals in my body. I eat mostly organics and foods without preservatives and colors. So I will reside to the fact that pain will be my way of life. :hammer:

[Iamyoungblood]

Just found out I too have a 6th vertebrae. Not feeling quite so freakish now after reading of so many others. :whistle:

It took a long series of seeing different doctors, a sports physiotherapist, and finally a sports doctor who described to me the reasoning for my continued pain, via x-rays and MRI, ya, the freaky extra back thingy.


I am a 15 (almost 16!!) yr old boxer who competes at a high level, just recently won our national 2010 championship...but it sure didn't come without a lot of pain an discomfort. Was forever hurting myself (lower back) and unable to figure out exactly why. Was it my training, my form, what, what, what? For I have never felt i've been able to be any better then about 70% prepared.

Apparently also there is a disc space narrowing at the LV6-S1 level. The disc spaces are otherwise intact. There is an enlarged transverse process on the left side but no obvious articulation with the sacrum. <---- this last thing possibly causing the pain through aggravation? Thoughts?

It is a bit disturbing to me because my sport requires intense physical preparation, and as well a great deal of torquing of the spine when sparring, which we do A LOT of.

From what I gather the pain is only that pain, and not further injuring anything so this is some relief. We were often afraid I might be injuring myself each time the pain became intense. But apparantly not? Just symptomatic stuff?

I am inclined to believe I have to change my strategy now for preparation. Avoid over-sparring (where I seem to continually hurt myself), and now focus on physical preparation with a heavy focus on core strength, general plyometrics, and HIIT. Hoping this will build enough strength to offset the lack of regular sparring required. In short, less sparring, but quality and hopefully less pain. The Dr. recommended I begin taken ibuprophen 3 times daily 400mg each time for 1 week, then 400mg 2 times daily 2nd week, then 400mg once daily as I prepare for my next match to help me deal with it. But I also need to be careful in what I put into my body for dope testing purposes at the levels I compete at, and anti-inflammatories are on the list..so suppose I need to research more as to how long they stay in your system before I begin.

Oh well, my apologies for this very long and somewhat rambling post. I only just found out Ima freak like 2 hrs ago. :metoo:

I would be very curious to hear from any other athletes who compete with a similar situation, or a doctors thoughts on it as well. This may sounds crazy just being 15 (almost 16!!), but I and we feel i have a good shot at a go at the London 2012 Olympics...if I can just stay healthy. Plus not get my block knocked off. ;)


p.s. on the bright side I found this intriguing, the extra vertebrae deal and actual frequency of it, for as well have an interest in studying medicine. But bah humbug...to pain. :hissyfit:

[Jimmyg11]

I have have recently found out that i have a 6th lumbar vertebra. Along with scoliosis and a detiorated disk. Im 18 and i lived my first 17 1/2 years without any idea of having an extra vertebra. I find that weird because i have had xrays done before on my back???
often a one time incident can change your life when you have an exta vertebra. I did something wrong in weightlifting class and it set off some serious pain. having a sixth lumbar crunches up the space between vertebra and can pinch nerves. the space between my fifth and six is way to small. Some days are fine, and some days are preety bad. unfortunately there is no "cure". Stregthening and stretching will reduce pain and so will chiopractic adjustment but adjustments tend to come often in my case since any movement can put you in pain. I would like to find out if any one else knows of a more permanent alternative.....

[jessy379]

Rus,

Very interesting. A number of people (I was not able to identify a reliable source of the incidence of such an occurrence) have a 13th rib, usually from L1 vertebra. This is often associated with a 6th lumbar vertebra. Such an extra vertebra is sometimes called a transitional vertebra. Accordin to the following web site

http://www.vh.org/Providers/Textbooks/AnatomicVariants/SkeletalSystem/Text/LumbarVertebrae.html

the incidence of a transitional vertebra is 4.2% in a very large series of skeletons (4200). Also, lumbosacral transitional vertebrae vary by race.



You may be interested to find that while the homo sapien is characterized by having five lumbar vertebra but homo erectus (the first of the human skeletons found in Africa, including Lucy and australopithecus africanus skeletons) typically had 6 lumbar vertebra. The presence of a 13th rib is of passing interest from the point of view of the Bible which suggests that God made Eve from the 13th rib of Adam.

http://www.angelfire.com/mi/dinosaurs/erectus_ribs.html

Animals generally have more vertebra than humans. For example, most animals have 12-15 thoracic vertebrae and 6-7 lumbar vertebrae although some whales may have as many as 20 lumbar vertebrae. Cows have 13 thoracic and 6 lumbar vertebrae. Pigs have 13-17 thoracic vertebrae and 5-7 lumbar vertebrae. Sheep have 13-14 thoracic vertebrae and 6 to 7 lumbar vertebrae. In contrast, almost all mammals have 7 cervical vertebrae, including human.
http://www.earthlife.net/mammals/skeleton.html

Wise
this post is really old and probably pointless to post on now but i was reading it and decided i should. anyway, i have an extra rib and my little sister is missing one. just thought you may find that interesting

[sbosse]

Well, I was given an extra Thoracic or Lumbar vertebra with small ribs on it too. It is not completely formed so disc height isn't quite what it should be. Bothers me some but my other back problems seem to be significantly worse so it's like small cakes to me. Now, if someone can fix my lordosis or kyphosis or SI joint pain, I'd love em forever!

[mb3343]

well i have almost the opposite problem....i have a complete sacralaztion of my L5 so i am basically missing a vertebrae and then i have a partially fused L4-L5 where the bone between them is cracking.....this movement and cracking is causing insane back pain and my doctor wants me to have spinal fusion...anyone know anything about this problem??

thanks
marie

[SCI-Nurse]

I am not versed in this problem at all. Many people could help you with the pro's and con's of a spinal fusion if you have questions about that.
CKF

[waterbottlemaniac]

I've got a 6th lumbar vertebrae. It was discovered after I was in a terrible auto accident 25 years ago. Since that time, I have had a "bony protrusion" growing on the left side of my lower back. It has been surgically removed three times, but continues to reoccur.
I've suffered severe back pain for the last 25 years. Recently I found a new pain management doctor, who has actually studied my problem (gasp/ a real doctor who wants to know WHY I hurt, instead of one telling me that I don't hurt at all).
New x-rays I had done last week show that the "bony protrusion" is actually the L6 vertebrae, and it is growing sideways to the left. It is a huge plate of bone that has actually partially fused with my illium (hip bone). It appears that I have broken this bone multiple times during the normal course of daily motion. It explains why my pain is so very intense at times that I can't breathe, and why after about 2 months I feel better for a while. Then it seems to break again, at the place where it wants to grow to the illium. Then I have two broken bone edges that rub against each other until they begin to knit again. And then it breaks again.
My doctor doesn't know how to fix this. He is contacting surgeons, but not having any luck so far.
Has this happened to anyone else? If so, was it fixed? How?
At this point I am living my life on pain pills which only help a little. I am in almost constant pain and now afraid to do simple things like walk or sweep a floor.
Any help or suggestions would be most appreciated. I would be happy to provide links to the X-rays if it would help. (I'll get them scanned or something, just let me know).

I have one too and found out after I started cheerleading in 7th grade. None of the doctors I went to knew what was wrong and kept telling me that I was fine and I couldn't understand, if I was fine, why I would be on the floor screaming in pain just after walking barely bending over. You have no idea how much you have helped me with this because the exact same things would be happening to me(minus the growth and the surgery). It would be really easy for me to tell when it would change because of the exercises and stretches I do in cheerleading. My flexibility would shoot through the roof, then get worse all of a sudden, then I would get really flexible again and after a while I would start feeling pinches in my lower back and they would get worse and worse and then one day it'll "snap" and I'll be in excruciating pain for a week or so, and then the cycle starts over. Many days I sit in class holding back tears because sitting in the chairs is so painful for me. I went to my doctor after reading your post and told him to please check for that and I haven't gotten my results back yet but he thanked me for reading this and coming to him with that information, so thank you so much. I obviously have no ways to fix it, but heating pads help while they are on and about half the day after you take it off(in case you haven't already tried that) and ice provides immediate relief(as usual). If anyone has any way to fix the pain
please let me know!

[SCI-Nurse]

Wait and see what your results are. Then, depending on what that says, there may be several options to help control your pain. It looks as though you may be on the right track.

CKF

[Iamyoungblood]

Bit of an update from my post on the previous page, for any who happens to stumble upon this thread in a sports capacity with a similar malformation.

Since finding out what the problem was, I have had to re look at how I train to avoid further bad episodes. I found that by working on building up my core to be strong, via various plyometrics targetting all the core, and restricting the twisting and torquing as much as possible of intense competition and in my case sparring, punch drills, I was able to keep the pain to a minimum and it allowed me to train better.

I believe it is fairly natural for us to have imbalances in our posterior chain when preparing for sports, but that with given the added strain of a 6th vertebrae we can be exposed/susceptible to it much easier, the flare ups, pain. And often frequently. In short, I've learned to be more patient with my training, and mindful of this. And to consider the core an essential focus when training for sport.

[pray4healing]

I have lots of medical problems from ovarian cancer, liver disease and degenerative joint disease. I had a MRI of my lumbar which showed 2 extra vertebrates which are smaller than normal vertebrates along with a ruptured disk and 2 herniated disk. I've had back pain since 1982 when I became a nurse. I also have djd in my neck and upper back. My doctor hasn't sent me to a specialist since "the cancer is going to kill me" will it has been 5 years and 20 months and I'm still alive. The cancer has spread twice now so there will not be "a cure" for me.

[ashnbham]

Just found out that I have the 6th lumbar vertebra as well. Completely normal sized and seems to give me no problems. I do have issues between the L4 & L5 that is causing a foot drop. The MRI to check out what was going on in my back revealed this additional bone. Now I am wondering if I have the 13th rib as well. Just wanted to chime in and say high to my fellow mutants. I’ve nick named this extra bone “Snake”. Someone needs to design a T-Shirt for out little gang of L-Sixers.

Ash

[Violinda]

I have read there is some connection to my Type O- blood and the 6th lumbar. I have never experienced issues with my extra lumbar.
Also have other common characterisitics of others with 0-. High Iron in blood, issues all my life with shorting out appliances, printers, watches, etc. ( My father had the same issue big time). Low, low Blood pressure, body temp and 65 regular pulse. Otherwise very healthy and rarely even have a cold. 54 years old.:thumb:

Hi all, I'm new here but wanted to respond to this. I have everything you mentioned, including the L6, high iron, lots of red cells (I was told that's why I get electrocuted by everything metal that I touch during the winter), low BP/temp/pulse and rarely get sick. Also 54, and healthy enough to figure skate competitively.

However, I am A+. O is the most common blood type (I think), so I wonder if there is just a high correlation for that reason. I have to wonder, still, if there are hereditary issues involved in the other things that relate to the L6.

[Violinda]

Just found out I too have a 6th vertebrae. Not feeling quite so freakish now after reading of so many others. :whistle:

It took a long series of seeing different doctors, a sports physiotherapist, and finally a sports doctor who described to me the reasoning for my continued pain, via x-rays and MRI, ya, the freaky extra back thingy.


I am a 15 (almost 16!!) yr old boxer who competes at a high level, just recently won our national 2010 championship...but it sure didn't come without a lot of pain an discomfort. Was forever hurting myself (lower back) and unable to figure out exactly why. Was it my training, my form, what, what, what? For I have never felt i've been able to be any better then about 70% prepared.

Apparently also there is a disc space narrowing at the LV6-S1 level. The disc spaces are otherwise intact. There is an enlarged transverse process on the left side but no obvious articulation with the sacrum. <---- this last thing possibly causing the pain through aggravation? Thoughts?

It is a bit disturbing to me because my sport requires intense physical preparation, and as well a great deal of torquing of the spine when sparring, which we do A LOT of.

From what I gather the pain is only that pain, and not further injuring anything so this is some relief. We were often afraid I might be injuring myself each time the pain became intense. But apparantly not? Just symptomatic stuff?

I am inclined to believe I have to change my strategy now for preparation. Avoid over-sparring (where I seem to continually hurt myself), and now focus on physical preparation with a heavy focus on core strength, general plyometrics, and HIIT. Hoping this will build enough strength to offset the lack of regular sparring required. In short, less sparring, but quality and hopefully less pain. The Dr. recommended I begin taken ibuprophen 3 times daily 400mg each time for 1 week, then 400mg 2 times daily 2nd week, then 400mg once daily as I prepare for my next match to help me deal with it. But I also need to be careful in what I put into my body for dope testing purposes at the levels I compete at, and anti-inflammatories are on the list..so suppose I need to research more as to how long they stay in your system before I begin.

Oh well, my apologies for this very long and somewhat rambling post. I only just found out Ima freak like 2 hrs ago. :metoo:

I would be very curious to hear from any other athletes who compete with a similar situation, or a doctors thoughts on it as well. This may sounds crazy just being 15 (almost 16!!), but I and we feel i have a good shot at a go at the London 2012 Olympics...if I can just stay healthy. Plus not get my block knocked off. ;)


p.s. on the bright side I found this intriguing, the extra vertebrae deal and actual frequency of it, for as well have an interest in studying medicine. But bah humbug...to pain. :hissyfit:

I am a figure skater and compete with an L6 (it actually made some of the moves much easier, like camel spins, layback spins, and spirals--sit spins not so much lol). Sometimes if I take a hard fall it can put me off the ice for a few days, but as your second post said, strength in the core is often critical to dealing with this.

I had actually quit skating for a few years, and when I went back it was like I was on the ice and my core was out relaxing.:fish2: Had a lot of back pain and it affected me clear up to my shoulders.

Now that my core is solid again all seems fine. Another case in point for fitness as injury and pain prevention whenever possible.

[SCI-Nurse]

I think A+ is the next most common blood type.The nervous system is formed between 25th and 55th day of conception, typically before mother even knows she is pregnant so if it isn't heredity it could have just been some fluke in development.
I think figure skating is beautiful. Of course I can barely stand on skates.

CWO

[Skarekrow]

Posting this before I read the thread, but I found out yesterday on a first time chiro visit that I have a 6th lumbar, among other things. It is not connected on the sides or anything by cartiliage, it is just another lumbar. My mother also has three fused vertebrae, which is (I believe) an even rarer anomaly, and my sister has a whole slew of spinal issues.

[Tad]

I have had serious lower back pain ever since I tried to stop a wall locker from falling off a truck when I was in the army, my legs locked up and my lower back caught all the weight, my life was ruined after that day, I have been going to the va hospital ever since i got out in 1994 and told them I had serious back pain they took an xray and said there was nothing wrong, well I went back numerous times to no availe and was even told that it was all in my head, The pain is unimaginable, in 2006 i found out that I had an extra 6th lumbar through a civilian hospital and they todl me to ge tthe va to take care of it, they dont like tn care lol and the va still insisted that there was nothing there, well i went back last summer and stayed at the domicilary for two months until they found out what was wrong, well it turns out the extra 6th lumbar is shaped like a jagged spear head and is smashed into everything you can imagine, so my spine is like a spear slammed into everything lol and the pain is like being damned to hell with no way out of it, please someone help me find an answer, my va hospital has let me down i need help bad, thanks for reading this and look forward to your replies . Tad

[SCI-Nurse]

Is your primary ordering tests? Have you had a consult with neurosurgery?Insist on one.
CWO

[Tad]

I have tried since 1994 to get them to even consider anything being wrong with it lol, but I do go and see a primary care doc, again but I'm armed with the knowledge of what it is thank god lol,

[SCI-Nurse]

I would agree with the previous posting. Push your PCP to give you a consult to neurosurgery.
CKF

[Tad]

I will do that for sure, I'll let you know how it goes on the 6th of april, thank you.

[ckirk]

My daughter and I share the 6th lumbar anomaly. [I have xtra cervical too.] My daughter had first surgery at 19. She's had similar surgeries and is looking at another now. They say that the fusion is not fusing/growing properly and I question circulation in the disc area. Her surgeon is a neuro but we are getting frustrated with the pain, surgeries, etc. She had hardware installed [screws, rods, etc] the second time and subsequent surgery [via abdomen] and future hardware. She is a married disabled young woman of 30 now [she has Asperger's]. She has a high threshold for pain and I believe that she could loose about 50 #'s which would help her; however, she is 6'2"...exercise exacerbates the pain, the pain drives her to eat...hence, a very vicious circle. Any experiences with acupuncture from the 6th lumber community?

[Tad]

I havent heard of any, but i hve seen on you tube and some other site about this machine and a striped down version that will slowly pull your spine back to its original shape or at least relieve some pressure i would love for a surgeon to tell me that he or she can go in and cut the sharp part off, that seems to be my only answer that i can see, i have yet to even see a neuro surgeon but i do see my primary care doctor for the forst time on the 5th i can wait till she refers me to one, happy days happy days lol, the pain is to much to do nothing about, but cymbalta, believe it or not help a whole lot by helping with the nerve pain of it i can do alot more than i used to, maybe you should try and check into that, write me back and tell me what you think.

[Wise Young]

this post is really old and probably pointless to post on now but i was reading it and decided i should. anyway, i have an extra rib and my little sister is missing one. just thought you may find that interesting

jessy, thank you for posting that information. Your little sister is unusual. More people have an extra rib than those who are missing a rib. Wise.

[sevenholts]

We just found out our 13 year old son was born with 4 extra ribs and 3 extra vertebrae. I would like to know if this will cause any problems in the future. Also my son is curious if having these extra bones will cause him to be taller? And if so how many inches?

[Silverhawk]

At the age of 35 i found out about my extra lumbar vertebrea. Since then Ive had noumerous shots, injections, physical therapy, and Spinal fusion. The fusion helped for about a year and now am back to intense pain and frustration. My mobility suffers and i am accident prone. Is there any refief out there or am i doomed to this life???

[Silverhawk]

well i have almost the opposite problem....i have a complete sacralaztion of my L5 so i am basically missing a vertebrae and then i have a partially fused L4-L5 where the bone between them is cracking.....this movement and cracking is causing insane back pain and my doctor wants me to have spinal fusion...anyone know anything about this problem??

thanks
marie
I wouldnt suggest a spinal fusion!!! I had it done and it didnt help at all!!!

[SCI-Nurse]

I would also recommend that you get a second opinion. A fusion is pretty major surgery. I am not saying that it is the wrong thing to do, just feel sure that it is.
CKF

[Juana]

Years ago I was told to have a cervical rib and I went on a surgery to take it off, I've been more or less after the surgery, now, just weeks ago, after suffering of a strong pain in my low back, the doctor found I have a 6th lumbar, searching for info about this problem was that I found this web page. I perfectly understand the people who writes here telling about the pain they suffer. I just wish to feel like a normal person..... If I could get any good advice or recommendation, I'll be gald to hear it.

[Mexicobaby2010]

I have hemisacralization as well and have no pain from it. I also have curved spine, and rotated vertebrae and that's were my pain comes from. I never know I had 6th lumbar until last year. It can cause pain but it doesn't always

[Koeseki]

I have an extra lumbar. It's not fused to anything and it has not caused me any problems as of yet.

[pg41562]

I have suffered with lower and upper back pain since oct 2011. Even more painful was an intense pain in my sacrum which became unbearable when sitting and after exercise. I did not sustain any trauma to the sacrum area to bring on the injury. My back specialist feels i may have an extra 6th Lumbar vertebrae.

I am booked in for an X-ray shortly.

Could the occurrence of a L6 explain my symptoms?

[J.Schultz]

I have a 6th lumbar vertebrae that is unilaterally fused. I had pain about 10 years ago, but it was only discovered 5 years ago. The pain is starting to come back, is there any way to get rid of the pain without addictive drugs?

[SCI-Nurse]

nAPROXEN 500 MG TWICE A DAY EVERY DAY.
nEURONTIN/gABAPENTIN
pHYSICAL THERAPY MIGHT HELP
sUPPORT
cwo

[Cjazz]

I also have been treated by gamma knife for a 4cm AVM. Talk about birth defects.
But that's not why I'm here. I was just told today about the extra lumbar. I was diagnosed with chronic back pain and was hoping someone knew stretches or excercises that will alleviate the pain I have in my lower back. I do yoga regularly and have had minimal relief. Yoga is the only relief I get but can't afford the cost more than once or twice a week.