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.

[03162000]

I am 23 I found out about this when I was 13 due to someone hurting me I got reffered to a chiropractor that found the problem. I have had alot of trouble with pain and can barely pick up my 2 kids. i have tryed to find a doctor that can aid me in managing the pain but doctors in my area dont seem to know this condition exists any advice?

[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