What is Spina Bifida?

What is Spina Bifida?

Spina Bifida is a condition where the spine doesn't develop properly resulting in an incomplete closing of the backbone (vertebrae) and membranes around the spinal cord, this is known as a neural tube defect. This most commonly occurs at the bottom of the back and is usually leaves a dark swelled spot.

The most common types are:

• Meningocele- which is where only the membranes which surround the spinal cord (meninges) are pushed out. This can usually be corrected by surgery
• Myelomeningocele- this is a serious type of spina bifida because the meninges and spinal cord are pushed out and create a sac on the babies back. This can mean there is significant damage to the spinal cord and meninges and also lead the central nervous system vunerable to infection.
• Spina Bifida Occulta- this is the most common type of Spina Bifida and is luckily the mildest type. The spinal cord and meninges don't push out of the neural canal (where the spinal cord and meninges normally sit and are surround by the back bone) This doesn't normally cause any symptoms.

To book an assessment or for more information please email office@manchesterneurophysio.co.uk call 0161 883 0066 .