Most of the time, when we get back pain, we think it's because we've been sitting wrong, lifting heavy weights, or getting older. But if you're in your 20s or 30s and you're constantly experiencing back pain for no apparent reason, it could be something you've never heard of, something you were born with. Today, we're talking about one such condition, Sacralizat ION .
Simply put, what is this Sacralization?
Okay, this is very simple. Think of our spine as a bunch of little bones stacked on top of each other. In between each of these bones, like shock absorbers in a car, there's a cushion. We call these "discs." These discs are what allow us to bend our spine forward, backward, and to the sides.
Now, the joint at the bottom of our spine (medically we call this the L5 lumbar vertebra ) is connected to the top of our hip bone, the sacrum , by a disc like that. This allows that joint to move well.
However, in someone with sacralization, the last vertebra of this bone is completely or partially fused to the hip bone. This means that the disc that should be between the two bones is not there, or is not there at all. As a result, this bone cannot move freely like the other bones of the spine. Doctors also call these places that are not exactly a joint a "pseudo joint".
The important thing is that not everyone with this condition experiences back pain. Many people live normal lives without even knowing they have it.
What causes sacralization?
This is not a disease that you develop later. Sacralization is an innate condition. That is, it is something that is present in your body from the moment you are born.
When we are in our mother's womb, in the first weeks of pregnancy, when our skeleton is forming, the vertebrae of the spine form one by one. But sometimes, for some reason, that last vertebra (L5) does not separate completely from the hip bone (sacrum) and instead becomes attached to it. That's how sacralization occurs.
It is not a dangerous disability. It is also difficult to say exactly how many people have it, because many people do not have symptoms. It is often discovered incidentally when a back X-ray is taken for another reason. According to surveys, it is believed that between 4% and 37% of the population may have this condition.
What could be the symptoms of this condition?
As we mentioned earlier, most people don't have any symptoms. However, those who do develop symptoms may experience things like:
- Physical characteristics: Your legs may be slightly different in length. Your hips may appear to be slightly tilted to one side. This can cause balance problems when walking. You may also have limited range of motion in your lower back.
- Back Pain: A specific type of back pain caused by sacralization is called Bertolotti's Syndrome . These symptoms usually begin to appear in the 20s or 30s.
| Symptoms associated with Bertolotti's Syndrome | |
|---|---|
| Nature of pain | Pain that is felt only in the lower back and does not travel down the legs. |
| Difficulty moving | Feeling stiff in the back and having difficulty bending for no particular reason. |
| The place where the pain is felt | Pain or discomfort in the back of your pelvis, above your hipbone. |
| Pain relief times | Pain decreases when sitting or lying down. |
| Spread of pain | Feeling pain and muscle twitching only on one side of the body. |
Your doctor may recommend an X-ray or MRI scan to confirm the condition. They may also order blood tests to check for other conditions.
What are the treatments for pain?
If you have pain or difficulty moving due to sacralization, there are many treatments available. Most people do not need surgery.
| Treatment method | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Lifestyle changes | Avoiding or modifying activities that increase pain (e.g., heavy lifting, standing for long periods of time). |
| Painkillers | You can get regular painkillers from the pharmacy, as prescribed by your doctor. |
| Physical Therapy | Specific exercises that strengthen the muscles of the back and hips and increase flexibility. |
| Steroid injections | Injections to reduce swelling and pain around the painful joint. |
| PRP therapy (Platelet-rich plasma therapy) | Injecting a solution made from platelets taken from your own blood into the painful area to speed up the healing process. |
| Prolotherapy | Injecting a special fluid (containing dextrose, a type of sugar) to reduce pain. |
| Radiofrequency ablation | Radio waves generate heat and deactivate the nerves that carry pain to the brain. |
Very rarely, if these treatments do not control the pain, a doctor may recommend surgery.
Take-Home Message
- Sacralization is not a disease that you develop later, it is a structural change in the body that is present at birth.
- Many people with this condition live normal lives without any symptoms.
- If you have back pain that started in your 20s or 30s and can't find a specific cause, the cause may be sacralization.
- If you have back pain, don't just ignore it. Be sure to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. An X-ray may be able to help determine the cause.
- If there is pain, there are many very effective non-surgical treatments for it.
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