Lumbar spine Xray question

[cqueen]

I've had back pain for about a year and I'm now onto my 3rd professional in hope that they know how to fix it.

I provided the new Osteopath the Xrays and I highlighted my concern with the lack of space between L5 and S1 and does that indicate a problem with the disk? Osteopath said that people don't have a disk between L5-S1 so nothing to worry about.

Initially I was very pleasantly surprised, but later on I thought that doesn't seem right. All the images online show a disk there, or am I being thick? Any response appreciated.

Edited by cqueen on Friday 2nd August 13:59

[Madeupname77]

Just answering the imaging question - Most people have a normal disc at L5/S1, though in some it is developmentally narrow. Unfortunately, unless you’ve had significant trauma (or you’re elderly and female) an x-ray is unlikely to help in diagnosing/managing your back pain hence Xrays aren’t usually recommended for back pain. Xrays will show wear and tear but everyone over 30 has wear and tear so the X-ray doesn’t get you any further.

[Brainpox]

You need to see someone who knows what they are talking about. X-rays are limited in their usefulness, MRI provides more information but you need a proper assessment as well as imaging only paints a small part of the picture. Osteopaths are not doctors and are not trained to interpret imaging.

I hope what the osteopath said about no disc at L5-S1 was something you misheard.

[cqueen]

To be fair, it was the previous osteopath that said I needed xrays. The new osteopath said that they will assess based on information and physical assessment rather than the xray.

But yes, new osteo said no disk between L5-S1, I even repeated it back to make sure I understood correctly. A bit worrying really.