Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Everything has been blamed on Scoliosis

would be interested to know what "transitional" means.

but will say that the spot where the spine and SI meet is a common place of trouble in the spondys. it was this spot in me always out of alignment that had my PT question AS back in 2002, 8 years before a dx of undiff spondy. and even after my SI joints were injected with cortisone so they were not inflamed in a NBS, that spot where the spine and SI meet was inflamed.

right now i'm most interested in why the xrays and CT scan reports are contradictory. i often wonder if when things are shades of grey if its open to interpretation and thus depends on who is interpreting.

Yes, this  is what I have too. My lowest lumbar vertebrae is actually congenitally formed as part of the sacrum, hence the term "transitional" vertebrae. And without the flexibility and shock absorbing that a normal lumbar vertebrae provides..it gives an explanation why I had to stop running and pain because other joints were stressed to do more to absorb the impact.

Check this out:

  Bertolotti's syndrome  

Thank you, Dow. Never heard of Bertolotti's syndrome. Just like I never knew about the transitional S1. btw, I have been diagnosed in the past with facet joint issues.

here I thought I was the 'perfect' human being! lol....I was wrong.

Must be open to interpretation. The original scoliosis report did NOT mention this transitional vertebrae. Wouldn't you think this would be something which would catch the person's eye who was reading the x-ray?

And how can AS fused discs suddenly 'vanish'?

A transitional vertebrae is a relatively common incidental finding on imaging. It is congenital. About 20% of the population has one either in their lumbar or sacral area. Incidental findings that are not believed to be related to the problem prompting the imaging are not always mentioned on the reports.



X-rays don't lie and our bodies do not un-fuse. However, x-ray films can be mis-interpreted. They can also be of poor quality leading to an incorrect understanding of what is seen. Since there is a difference of opinion, it would make sense to try to see another Rheumatologist for evaluation or at least have the films read by another Radiologist.

Extractable nuclear antigens (or ENA) would be tested via blood work. ENA is similar to the more common ANA testing. ENA is an indicator of autoimmune disease.

Thank you, Stormy. Great explanation. It makes sense to be seen by another Rheumie for evaluation. In regards to the blood work taken, the results were not made available to my doctor. I am getting a bad feeling about this.

Are you saying that the Rheumatologist's office did not send the blood work results to your GP? If so, you should be able to resolve that with a simple phone call - or your GP's office can. If you have trouble getting into a different Rheumatologist under your medical system, having the CT scan and x-ray reviewed by a different Radiologist may give you some answers. What type of doctor ordered and read the most recent x-ray?

Your PCP should always be CC on any test that you have taken. I always ask before I get the test or x-ray. With my last blood test, my Rheumy put my GP down but not my GI. I just asked the lab to send the GI a copy and he got his copy when the Rheumy got his. I am also on the CC list. That is something I insist about. It's my body, my test and I'm paying the bill.

I will wait until my appt on Wednesday. Tired of this doctor game.
Need the time to begin re-studying my financial accounting course which I voluntarily failed because of all the constant doctor appointments interrupting.

Am applying for work in home care or as a cleaner in the hospital. As long as I can keep moving, the blasted stiffness will stay away.