Spine Surgery Options for Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is a serious spinal condition that develops in children in the womb. Babies that develop the condition have undeveloped spinal cords, and exposed nerves that can lead to serious complications if left untreated. This article will focus on spina bifida, and discuss the definition, causes, and treatments that relate to the condition.

Spina Bifida Defined

Spina bifida is a neural tube birth defect that develops in a child during pregnancy. Essentially the condition causes the neural tube (which develops into the child’s brain and spine) to not develop completely, which in turn results in defects in the spine.

Spina bifida comes in several stages based on severity. Some forms of the condition do not present any symptoms, while others can be debilitating. Here are some of the common symptoms that may indicate a spina bifida diagnosis:

• Muscle weakness or paralysis
• Bladder and bowel control issues
• Seizures
• Spinal curvature and other orthopedic issues
• Strange birthmarks or skin depressions

An accurate diagnosis is the first step in the road to treating spina bifida. Prenatal screening tests routinely check for signs of spina bifida. However, these tests are far from perfect, so you should still keep an eye out for spina bifida symptoms in your child after birth.

Surgery for Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is a serious condition that, in most cases, has to be treated with surgery. If left untreated, spina bifida can lead to permanent nerve damage, paralysis, and even death.

If your child has been diagnosed with spina bifida and surgery is recommended, consider an Inspired Spine procedure. The minimally invasive keyhole surgical techniques developed by Inspired Spine have been proven to offer shorter hospital stays, less pain, and quicker recovery times compared to more traditional spine surgeries. Learn more about how our procedures can help you by contacting us today.