Spine

Our Pediatric Orthopedic team treats a wide range of complex spinal deformities in patients as young as newborn infants to adolesecents with:

• Scoliosis (curving of the spine)
• Kyphosis (hunchback, rounding)
• Spondylolisthesis (degeneration of the spine)

Our innovative surgical techniques, such as the vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib and other growing spine constructs, allow our specialists to minimize spinal fusing of vertebrae, benefiting patients by preserving spine motion.

Myelomeningocele Clinical Service and Spina Bifida

Spina Bifida is a term used to describe any birth defect involving a failed closure of the spine. Myelomeningocele - the most common form of spina bifida - is a birth defect developed in the womb, when the backbone and spinal cord fail to close together before birth. When the spinal cord and back bone fail to completely close, the tissue-covered spinal cord will protrude out of the infant’s lower back. The cause of myelomeningocele is unknown, but thought to be environmental or due to a virus because it commonly occurs in babies born during the winter months. Genetic counseling and testing is recommended to determine if future children could be at risk. Special instruction is needed to care for infants before and after surgery to ensure severe damage is not done to the spinal cord and surrounding nerves.

The Myelomeningocele Clinical Service at Riley provides treatment to children who may be paralyzed by myelomeningocele. Services provided include orthopedic, urologic, physical and occupational therapy, nursing and dietary evaluation and treatment. Our specialists will also work with our Neurosurgery team to provide neurosurgical treatment for spine and nerve repair.