Spinal Dysraphism

Spinal dysraphism is an anomaly that occurs during embryo development. It occurs as a result of the brain and spinal cord tissue not developing properly. Spinal dysraphism can often occur along with other physical abnormalities and can cause serious health problems if left untreated. The exact cause is unknown, but some studies have shown that genetic factors may play a role. In addition, factors such as certain infections or drug use in the womb can also trigger spinal dysraphism. Spinal dysraphism treatment usually requires surgery and regular rehabilitation. The patient is followed up after treatment. Once diagnosed with spinal dysraphism, your doctor will recommend an appropriate treatment plan for you.

In the article, information about what spinal dysraphism is and the treatment process will be given under the following headings:

• What is spinal dysraphism and how does it occur?
• What are the symptoms of spinal dysraphism?
• How is spinal dysraphism diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for spinal dysraphism?

What Is Spinal Dysraphism and How Does It Occur?

Spinal dysraphism is a condition that results from congenital developmental disorders of the baby's backbone. Because of these disorders, the baby's backbone may not develop properly, which can lead to some musculoskeletal problems. Spinal dysraphism can cause movement restriction, muscle weakness and some sensory disorders in the lower back and legs.

What Are Spinal Dysraphism Symptoms?

Symptoms of spinal dysraphism may vary depending on the type and severity of the disease. These symptoms usually include:

• Congenitally significant or progressive back pain
• Swelling in the abdomen or waist area
• Deformity and hunchback in the lumbar region
• Skin abnormality or redness on the back
• Breathing difficulties and speech disorders
• Abnormalities of the spine (especially in the neck and back region)
• Kidney and urinary tract problems
• Vision, hearing and language speaking problems in the future
• Bowel and bladder problems
• Neurological symptoms; muscle weakness or paralysis
• Stroke and vomiting attacks
• Unbalanced and coordination disorders
• Low height and weight

How is spinal dysraphism diagnosed?

The diagnosis of spinal dysraphism is usually made using physical examination and imaging methods. These include ultrasonography for babies, MRI for children and CT for adults. These methods help to understand whether the spinal cord is developing properly and the causes of this condition. In addition, doctors can often diagnose spinal dysraphism by examining patients' family history and past health conditions.

What is Spinal Dysraphism Treatment?

Spinal dysraphism is usually treated with surgical interventions. The aim of surgical intervention is to correct the area where the spinal cord and nerves are damaged and to intervene in this area. Surgical interventions may vary according to the patient's condition and the degree of damage. Surgical interventions in the treatment of spinal dysraphism generally consist of the following stages:

Anesthesia

Before the surgery, the patient is anesthetized. In this way, the patient undergoes the surgical procedure in a painless and comfortable way.

Surgical Intervention

Surgical intervention aims to correct the damaged area. To this end, the surgeon can straighten tissues and nerves, adjust joints, or separate adherent tissue. During the surgical intervention, the surgeon tries to minimize the damage by properly aligning the patient's spinal cord and nerves.

Rehabilitation

After surgery, the patient receives rehabilitation therapy. Thanks to this treatment, the patient can regain mobility and perform daily life activities again. These treatment modalities may include physical therapy, movement therapy, massage therapy, facial therapy, and other forms of individual therapy. These treatment methods will help to improve the physical and mental functions of patients and are therefore important in the treatment of spinal dysraphism.

Follow-up

After the surgical intervention, the patient receives follow-up treatment. Follow-up therapy aims to control the patient's condition, reduce future risks, and improve the patient's quality of life. In follow-up therapy, doctors check the patient's mobility, reflexes, and other functions.

Can spinal dysraphism be prevented?

Since spinal dysraphism is a congenital condition, there is no preventive treatment. However, it is known that factors such as certain infections or drug use in the womb can trigger spinal dysraphism. For this reason, you can try to prevent this situation by paying attention to a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. You can take measures to detect this condition early by ensuring that your baby is examined frequently by a doctor who monitors his/her development after birth.