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Spina bifida is a congenital musculoskeletal condition. Although relatively rare, it carries the risk of leading to a series of dangerous complications if not intervened in time.
Many people often assume that musculoskeletal and spinal diseases only affect the elderly. However, in recent years, these issues have increasingly trended toward younger populations due to various causes. In fact, even newborns are at risk of being born with a congenital spinal defect known as spina bifida. So, what do you know about spina bifida and its treatments? Let’s explore more in the following article.
1. What is Spina Bifida?
Spina bifida (or “split spine”) is a congenital spinal defect that most commonly occurs in the lumbar spine. On an X-ray, the vertebrae appear to be split, leaving a gap in the middle. This happens because the neural tube and the vertebral bodies along the spinal cord do not close completely during development.
2. Types of Spina Bifida
Currently, spina bifida is classified into three main types:
- Spina Bifida Occulta: The most common and relatively benign form. It is often discovered incidentally through X-ray results.
- Meningocele: Frequently occurs in the lower lumbar region. Patients are at risk of bladder paralysis and bowel dysfunction.
- Myelomeningocele: The most severe form of spina bifida, which can cause partial loss of bodily functions. Additionally, spinal nerve function rarely improves significantly even after treatment.
3. Common locations for Spina Bifida
According to research, the L5 lumbar vertebra and the S1 sacral bone are the most common sites for spina bifida. Typically, this condition is difficult to identify because, aside from localized aching in the affected area, there are no other specific symptoms.
Except for the difference in the specific location of the lesion, both Spina Bifida S1 and L5 share several characteristics:
- Congenital factor: Specifically, L5 spina bifida can occur as early as the embryonic stage of fetal development.
- Most affected age group: Primarily individuals between 20 and 50 years old.
- Nerve root compression: Often leads to associated conditions such as herniated discs.
- Loss of natural curvature: L5 spina bifida, in particular, can cause a partial loss of the spine’s natural physiological curve.
Lumbar bone spurs are one of the primary manifestations of spinal degeneration. While this condition was previously common only among middle-aged and elderly individuals, recent years have seen a rising trend of bone spurs occurring in younger populations. The resulting lower back pain not only causes physical distress and exhaustion…
4. Recognizing symptoms of Spina Bifida
When suffering from spina bifida, patients may experience the following signs:
- Localized aching at the site of the bone spurs.
- Radiating pain that spreads across the lower back, pelvis, and lower limbs (including the shins, calves, and feet).
- Numbness, tingling, and weakness in the limbs, with reduced mobility caused by bone spurs compressing the nerve roots.
- Neurological abnormalities, sensory disturbances, or sphincter dysfunction leading to loss of bladder or bowel control.
5. Causes of Spina Bifida
In reality, the exact cause of spina bifida remains a major question for many scientists. While research is ongoing, they have identified several contributing factors, typically including:
- Congenital factors: If an expectant mother lacks proper nutrition—specifically failing to absorb the necessary amount of Folic Acid—it significantly increases the risk of the baby developing spina bifida in the womb.
- Lifestyle habits: Sitting for prolonged periods or maintaining poor posture while sitting, lying down, walking, standing, or lifting heavy objects are common factors leading to various spinal issues.
- Spinal injuries: The body’s natural healing mechanism begins a bone regeneration process when the spine is injured, which can form bone spurs. However, this usually occurs when the healing process happens repeatedly.
- Aging: Joint cartilage gradually degenerates over time, leading to calcium deficiency. Consequently, the body automatically accumulates this mineral to compensate for the loss, which inadvertently forms bone spurs.
- Localized inflammation: Whether it occurs in the bones, spinal joints, or the surrounding tendons and ligaments, inflammation can stimulate bone cell regeneration. Occasionally, this process results in “faulty products”—known as bone spurs.
6. Is Spina Bifida dangerous?
Experts suggest that spina bifida is not a simple condition. Without timely intervention, it can lead to a series of serious health complications, such as:
- Damage to spinal nerve roots
- Muscle function impairment
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction
- Paralysis
- Abnormal weakness
- Meningitis
- Death
7. Diagnosing Spina Bifida
To diagnose spina bifida, especially in a fetus, doctors will perform the following tests:
- Blood Test: To evaluate the level of AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein) produced by the fetus. High AFP levels may indicate that the baby has spina bifida or another congenital defect.
- Ultrasound: A diagnostic method that creates images of the fetus on a computer screen. If a baby has spina bifida, doctors may notice an open spine or a sac protruding from the lumbar area.
- Amniocentesis: Doctors collect a small amount of fluid from the amniotic sac to test for any symptoms or conditions the baby may be experiencing.
In some cases, spina bifida is only diagnosed after the child is born. At this stage, doctors may order imaging tests such as X-ray, CT scan, or MRI to gain a clearer view of the baby’s spine and back bones.
8. Is Spina Bifida curable?
In most cases, the most common choice for treating spina bifida is medication. A typical prescription may include:
- Pain relievers and anti-inflammatories: Mostly from the NSAID group, such as naproxen, ibuprofen, etc.
- Muscle relaxants: Mydocalm, myonal, decontractyl, etc.
- Vitamin B group: Such as B1, B12, etc., to accelerate the recovery process.
Furthermore, in severe cases (where bone spurs compress nerves or the spinal canal, or cause scoliosis), surgery may be indicated.
However, it is important to note that these treatments carry significant risks. Specifically, prolonged use or overdose of medication can easily damage vital organs such as the stomach, liver, or kidneys. Additionally, the risk of complications during and after surgery to remove spinal bone spurs is substantial. High costs also make surgery a less frequent choice for many.
9. Drug-free and Non-surgical treatment for Spina Bifida
The ideal solution to treat the underlying cause of spina bifida pain without drugs or surgery is Chiropractic care. This method works by using precise manual adjustments to return misaligned spinal structures to their original positions, thereby releasing nerve pressure and restoring the spine’s mobility. Consequently, the pain will gradually subside and eventually disappear.
Currently, in Vietnam, ACC Clinic – Chiropractic Specialists is proud to be the pioneer in treating musculoskeletal issues, including spina bifida, using the Chiropractic method.
If you or a loved one are experiencing musculoskeletal pain, do not hesitate to contact ACC Clinic immediately for prompt consultation!
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