A Study Of Prevalence Of Sacralization Of L5 Vertebra

ABSTRACT

Sacrum is centrally located unpaired bone of pelvis which is composed of 5 sacral vertebrae. Superiorly itarticulates with 5th lumbar vertebra to form lumbosacral joint and laterally it articulates with hip bone to formsacroiliac joint. When 5th lumbar vertebra fuses with 1st sacral vertebra then it is called as sacralization andwhen 1st sacral vertebra gets separated from sacrum then it is called as lumbarization. 79sacra from thedepartment of Anatomy of MGM medical college and D. Y. Patil medical college, Navi Mumbai were studied to seesacralization. Out of 79 sacra in 14sacra(17.7 %) sacralization was observed.Out of 14 sacra, 4 sacra showedbilateral and complete sacralization, 5 sacra showed unilateral and partial sacralization and 5 sacrashowedincomplete fusion between L5 and S1 vertebra. Change in normal structure of lumbar vertebra andsacrum may lead to alteration in kinematics of lumbosacral region which may lead to compression of nerve andlow back pain. Knowledge regarding incidence of sacralization will be useful for radiologist and orthopaedicsurgeon while dealing with low back pain