‍Bertolotti syndrome (BSy) warriors are people whose stories demonstrate strength and resilience by coping with years of living with pain and misdiagnoses.

In fact, for many, their fight started years, even decades, ago as they struggled against ongoing pain that many medical professionals either ignored or misdiagnosed.

For others, there were decades of unexplained, constant pain, always searching, always told there’s nothing wrong despite clear proof of the opposite. For a few, symptoms first occurred after an injury or incident, initiating an extended and painful road to diagnosis.

Unfortunately, many doctors either do not know or consider the importance of Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae (LSTV), which can prevent getting a critical diagnosis and treatment in a timely fashion. These warriors’ stories highlight the need for greater awareness and understanding of Bertolotti Syndrome (BSy); that earlier identification of it is crucial to improving their quality of life and alleviating some of the physical and emotional burden of their long struggle.