Transitional Segment

Transitional vertebra is a fairly common spinal deformity, in which the lowest vertebrae of the spine, the fifth lumbar vertebra, is partially fused to the top of sacrum. This odd hybrid bone is not a proper lumbar vertebra, and certainly not a sacral segment either — thus, it is a “transitional” vertebra. A transitional segment places unusual stress on the spine which results in a disc herniation at the level above the segment. The herniation, then, causes symptoms of nerve root pain. Transitional segment responds well to Cox Technic flexion-distraction. Dr. Tenckhoff uses Cox Technic Flexion Distraction and Decompression to widen the canal space, drop the intradiscal pressure and increase the disc height to relieve pain.