As Seen on Fox5 DC: Solving a Medical Mystery -- Bertolotti's Syndrome

Dr. Colin Haines, Spine Surgeon at VSI; and his patient, Maggie Lang, share Maggie’s medical mystery journey with Fox5 DC.
When debilitating #backpain began to impact Maggie’s ability to cheer and attend school, she sought help from Dr. Haines. After diagnosis and successful treatment for what Dr. Haines discovered to be Bertolotti’s Syndrome, Maggie is now back doing what she loves as a cheerleader for Clemson University.
To learn more about treatment for Bertolotti’s Syndrome, www.spinemd.com/conditions/be...
To learn more about Dr. Haines, visit www.spinemd.com/medical_team/...
🎙️To hear more about Maggie's journey, check out her episode on Get Back to Your Life podcast:
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify Podcasts: open.spotify.com/episode/0qDU...
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#backpain #lowbackpain #backpainrelief #bertolottis #bertolottisyndrome #cheerleading #cheerleader #clemsonuniversity #clemsoncheer

[@tylersatterwhite4965]

I've been going for 14 years with this. The mental health aspect is of equal devastation as the physical. Don't give up folks. I'm still not better.

[@PainintoPassionTv]

I too am dealing with this 6 years, don't give up either we need you also ❤

[@BadRepJoanie]

I’ve been dealing with this for 30 years. I asked about surgery 20 years ago and they thought I was nuts. I only found out what it was called a few days ago because I got my CT scan results report and googled everything to put it into plain English. I presented my findings to my doctor who confirmed it. She had never heard of Bertolotti’s Syndrome but had seen this defect before. I now have bone spurs and osteoarthritis in my hips, and degenerative disc disease in the next joint up (L4/L5) because I didn’t get the surgery when I asked for it. I wouldn’t have got the referral to a spinal surgeon if I hadn’t googled the terms in my CT scan results report and found the name of this condition and then was able to search that term in scientific research papers and find the surgery was actually possible. It pays to be your own advocate.

[@tylersatterwhite2034]

​@BadRepJoanie I actually had surgery April 2nd. Dr. Michael Steinmetz and the Cleveland clinic is the absolute best! I feel the best I've felt in 12 years!

[@DanniUnlimited]

Saw my xray and it clearly looks like bertolotti. It definitely needs more attention.

[@BadRepJoanie]

You need a CT scan to confirm. It’s much clearer and you will be able to see exactly what type (there are 9) and from that, you will able to pinpoint exactly what kind of treatment will be most effective. If you’re getting steroid injections for pain, a CT scan will show exactly where the injection should go, otherwise the injection is less likely to be effective.

[@intoxologist1]

I'm curious to know if Maggie's resection surgery is still successful or has the resectioned bone grown back? Some patients who had the bone cut back, the bone has regrown and then have to go back in for a fusion at that level. Typically the L5-S1 level unless they have an additional vertebrae L6-S1.

[@VSI_Spine]

“Can my Bertolotti’s bone grow back after it’s been ressected?” #Bertolottis #bertolottissyndrome

[@shoaib9337]

I diagnosed with it yesterday 😢

[@curiostreams]

Hi bro. How is it going?

[@PainintoPassionTv]

How's it going for you, have you started any treatments for it yet?

[@user-rc9do4zn9w]

37 years with this since 19 , but i have neck stenosis last 14 years also thats worse because of migraines it gives BS can knock me out a day or so when serious pain comes in

[@taslimahaque46]

Sadly, I am also suffering from this disease. Bertolotti syndrome type 2b.

[@curiostreams]

For how long and how is it for you? I have also boarded the same boat a month ago

[@BadRepJoanie]

JFC that’s hardcore! With that kind of bilateral immobility in your L5/S1, do you still have the typical uneven hips and spinal curve? I’m 2C and suffering 30 years. Been having to use a stick to walk some days for the past year.

[@user-dz8ji1tv8u]

Bertolitti Syndrome gang

[@Mj-np9nq]

I had a surgery for bertolotti's syndrome and that did not help!! I know many others that still got many problems after surgery.. God for the girl in the video - but I think videos like this are misleading

[@BadRepJoanie]

Interesting to hear. From the research papers I’ve been reading from 2020 onwards, the surgery is minimally invasive and has a very high success rate. It would be interesting to find out how long those patients who have not found it successful have been suffering from Bertolotti’s and if they have secondary degenerative conditions caused by it that would not necessarily be fixed by the surgery.

[@user-rc9do4zn9w]

It dosent necessarily get worse with age mine is L5 /s1 left side , always lift suitcase side lifting never front lifting that will put me to bed from pain

[@BadRepJoanie]

Having suffered from this for 30 years, I can absolutely say it does get worse and it eventually effects your L4/L5 (in some cases causing spondylolithesis) and your hips.