Congenital Spine Deformities
What are Congenital Spine Deformities?
Congenital spine deformities are spinal disorders that begin to occur before birth. During fetal development, vertebrae do not form correctly and structural problems are seen in the spine and spinal cord.
Congenital spine deformities can range from mild to severe. In mild cases, an individual may require only minimal treatment in order to manage the condition. More severe problems may require surgery to preserve the functionality of critical organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and urinary tract. The causes of congenital spine deformities are not always apparent, but genetics play a major role for a high percentage of patients.
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How are Congenital Spine Deformities diagnosed?
Several methods can be used to diagnose congenital spine deformities, but the most common include a combination of doctor examinations of the spine and back muscles supplemented by relevant imaging tests.
Depending on how the spinal cord is affected, doctors can order X-ray, MRI, and/or CT scans to gain a better understanding of the individual’s condition.
How are Congenital Spine Deformities treated?
Treatments for congenital spine deformities are highly-personalized based on the severity and specifics of the patient’s disorder. For mild cases, treatment can be limited to regular doctor visits and exercise to strengthen the muscles surrounding the vertebrae and spinal cord.
Surgery may be necessary in more severe cases. If the spine’s abnormal curvature could impact organ function and jeopardize a patient’s long-term quality of life, surgery may be the only viable treatment option.
Absolutely wonderful care. Dr. Crandall addressed all of my questions and treated me with the utmost compassion. After having the recommended surgery I felt much better than before the operation. Thank you Dr. Crandall and Sonoran Spine for giving me my mobility back!
What can I expect after treatment?
Because the range of conditions and treatments is so vast, the post-treatment experience will vary based on a patient’s individual situation. The good news is that in the majority of instances, a return to normal daily life is expected. As with any condition, the sooner treatment is administered, the better the outcome will be. Although the diagnosis may be concerning, modern procedures have a high success rate in terms of maintaining a good quality of life for the patient.
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