The transitional vertebra and sacroiliac joint dysfunction association

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
• Radiology
• Anatomy

Background:

• Low back pain is a prevalent condition with multifactorial causes.
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is an increasingly recognized contributor to low back pain.
• Transitional vertebrae, anatomical variations in the lumbosacral spine, may influence spinal mechanics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between transitional vertebrae and sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
• To determine the prevalence of transitional vertebrae in patients with lumbar pain.
• To compare the prevalence of sacroiliac dysfunction between patients with low back pain and healthy individuals.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 700 participants (500 with low back pain, 200 healthy controls).
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction assessed using five clinical tests; positivity in three indicated dysfunction.
• Lateral lumbosacral and Ferguson angle X-rays used to identify transitional vertebrae in the low back pain cohort.

Main Results:

• Transitional vertebrae were identified in 26% of patients with low back pain.
• The prevalence of sacroiliac joint dysfunction was significantly higher in the low back pain group (15.4%) compared to controls.
• Patients with transitional vertebrae exhibited a markedly higher prevalence of sacroiliac joint dysfunction (28.5%) than those without.

Conclusions:

• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction should be considered in the etiological investigation of low back pain.
• Increased clinical awareness and diagnostic sensitivity are warranted for patients presenting with transitional vertebrae and low back pain.