Question
QUESTION: Respected sir, my name is mohit and i'm 17. I have pain in my lower back since 2 years. When consulted to a doctor, he asked me to get the x-ray done.The report says that i have spina bifida, sacralisation of L5. Is there any kind of surgery for it? I am facing lot of problems due to it. Unbearable pain, cant attend my college regularly. Please do let me know some solution for it and even let me know will it affect other body parts?

ANSWER: Hello Mohit,
Thanks for the question. I'm afraid that with the information you have provided I can't offer the kind of insight I would like.  There are three different categories of Spina Bifida: spina bifida occulta, spina bifida cystica with meningocele, and spina bifida cystica with myelomeningocele and all most commonly occurring in the lumbar and sacral region.  The myelomeningocele is the most significant presentation of spina bifida and is the one which leads to disability in most affected individuals. Symptoms may include: leg weakness and/or paralysis, orthopedic problem, bladder dysfunction, abnormal eye movements, latex allergies and pressure sores.  If you have pain due to nerve damage caused by Spina Bifida there is no known cure for this disorder. If you have an opening of the back over the area of the spina bifida some times surgery may be done to close the opening with the hopes of reducing further nerve damage.

Please be sure to find out from your doctor if your problem is even caused by the spina bifida.f
Hope this helps,
Can you please take a moment out and rate my answer and consider to nominate me as expert of the month.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery,
Dr. Ron Nusbaum
Back Clinics of Canada

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Its spina bifida occulta. Can you sugest some surgeries?

Answer
Hi Mohit,
Most cases of Spina Bifida Occulta to not have symptoms and as such do not require surgery. It is up to your doctor and specialist to determine if your pain is even caused by your spina bifida as it may merely be coincidental.

Good Luck,
Dr. Ron Nusbaum
Back Clinics of Canada
www.backclinicsofcanada.ca