Common Spinal Deformities and Spina Bifida

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Most chronic back pain is the result of lifestyle. Too much sedentary activity (e.g. sitting at a computer monitor for an extended period of time) causes elevated tension in muscles along the spinal column, gradually starving them of oxygen and increasing the chances of painful muscle spasms. At the other end of the spectrum, too much physical activity or improper lifting techniques can accelerate the natural degeneration of the spinal discs (shock-absorbing pads between the vertebrae) and other vital components of the spinal column, leading to increased pain levels.

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In some cases, however, lifestyle is not the root cause of chronic back pain. There are many structural spinal deformities, often congenital, that do not respond well to conservative treatments like physical therapy or anti-inflammatory pain medication. Whereas pain levels from a compromised spinal disc may be reduced by a physical therapy regimen designed to relieve pressure by developing muscles along the spinal column, spinal deformities often drastically compromise the integrity of the spinal column’s structure.

Spina bifida involves an opening in the lamina, which are not fused, and may involve a protrusion of the spinal nerves outside of the spinal canal where they are normally housed. Depending on the location of the protrusion, spina bifida may place patients at a much higher risk for traumatic injuries to the spinal nerves. As these nerves provide sensation to other parts of the body, damage to them can result in a loss of sensation, severe chronic back pain, or even paralysis. Spina bifida is caused by a congenital developmental disorder, in which the embryonic neural tube does not completely close.  Spina bifida most commonly occurs in the lumbar and sacral areas.  Spina bifida generally falls into one of three types:  1) spina bifida occulta 2) spina bifida with meningocele, and 3) spina bifida with myelomeningocele.  Spina bifida occulta is generally asymptomatic, and most people don’t even know they have it.  The most symptomatic type of spina bifida is that associated with a myelomeningocele, in which the spinal cord protrudes through the opening in the spine.  The spina bifida meningicele and myelomeningocele occur in 1 out of every 1000 births.

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Other spinal deformities include scoliosis, which is a  curvature of the spine that develops to varying degrees in patients. Most of the time its cause is unknown, but scoliosis may be triggered by muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. Some patients may be able to navigate their daily routines without corrective back surgery, but many patients require it in order to restore some manner of normalcy to their motion. Severe curvature of the spine can be incredibly disabling, reducing mobility and causing extreme chronic back pain. With modern corrective back surgery, however, chances at a relatively normal life are good for most patients.

Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal can be dangerous if it occurs in the cervical spine (cervical stenosis) , and troubling with pain and weakness when it occurs in the lumbar spine (lumbar stenosis) ,  because it places vital spinal nerves at a higher risk for injury, especially compression, which often in turn causes chronic back pain and symptoms of pain, numbness and weakness to the lower extremities. Prolonged nerve compression can damage the spinal nerves, impeding long-term sensation and mobility. Corrective back surgery is sometimes needed to relieve pressure on the spinal canal and expand the space at its narrowest point to reduce the chances of injury.

spinal deformities, spina bifida, spinal nerves, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Tomball, Galleria, Humble, Conroe, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Memorial City, Galveston

Physician experts at the Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston, TX, have significant experience in diagnosing and treating spinal disorders.  The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX cares for patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center  (TMC) and other Texas TX cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin.

Keywords: chronic back pain, back surgery, spinal deformities, spina bifida, spinal nerves, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Tomball, Galleria, Humble, Conroe, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Memorial City, Galveston, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin