Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42428446›Full record

ArticleJournal of orthopaedic case reports2026

Use of Lumbosacral Myofascial Release and Therapeutic Exercises for a Patient with Bertolotti's Syndrome: A Case Report.

Shweta Atwani, Mukesh Tiwari, Reshma Khurana, Ajeet Kumar Saharan, Dharmita Yogeshwar, Shantanu Sharma

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of orthopaedic case reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Shweta AtwaniDepartment of Physiotherapy, NIMS College of Physiotherapy and Occupational Studies, NIMS University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Mukesh TiwariDepartment of Orthopaedics, NIMS University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Reshma KhuranaIndex Department of Physiotherapy and Paramedical Sciences, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Ajeet Kumar SaharanDepartment of Physiotherapy, NIMS College of Physiotherapy and Occupational Studies, NIMS University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Dharmita YogeshwarDepartment of Physiotherapy, NIMS College of Physiotherapy and Occupational Studies, NIMS University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Shantanu SharmaDepartment of Physiotherapy, NIMS College of Physiotherapy and Occupational Studies, NIMS University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Bertolotti's Syndrome is characterized by chronic low back pain due to lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), where caudal lumbar vertebrae enlargement leads to fusion or articulation with the sacrum or ilium. This condition results in discogenic disease and mobility restriction, causing pain in the back, hip, groin, and legs, often related to L5 nerve distribution. The discomfort varies and is linked to pathologies from LSTV, including scoliosis and joint issues. LSTV types, categorized by the Castellvi system, range from dysplastic processes to complete sacralization. The syndrome's incidence is debated, estimated at 4-36%. Myofascial release (MFR) is a therapeutic technique targeting fascia to reduce muscle tension, improve mobility, and alleviate chronic pain. Previous studies suggest MFR, combined with other treatments, effectively reduces low back pain. However, research has not specifically assessed MFR's impact on Bertolotti's Syndrome. This study aims to investigate MFR's effects on the thoracolumbar fascia and quadratus lumborum combined with therapeutic exercises for affected patients. Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the effect of lumbosacral MFR along with therapeutic exercises for a patient with Bertolotti's syndrome. Case Report: The patient underwent 6 weeks of physiotherapy, with sessions 5 times weekly, each lasting 40-45 min. Initial exercises included lumbar flexion in quadruped and standing positions. The Bird Dog exercise involved alternating arm and leg raises. Spinal extension exercises were performed in prone positions. MFR techniques targeted the thoracolumbar fascia and quadratus lumborum, applying sustained pressure for specific durations to alleviate tension. Results: The patient showed significant improvement in symptoms during treatment. The pain score decreased from 6/10 to 1/10, and the Oswestry disability index score was 4/50, indicating no disability. The patient performed daily activities comfortably and sat for 80 min without pain. Conclusion: A patient with LSTV and persistent LBP following prior treatments might have their pain associated with reduced mobility. MFR and therapeutic exercises may serve as effective treatments for cases like type IIB Castellvi LSTV.

Indexed as

Bertolotti’s syndromeCastellvi Type IIblumbosacral myofascial releaselumbosacral transitional vertebrae with low back painmyofascial release

Identifiers

PMID42428446
PMCPMC13348463

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.