Pediatric spinal problems

What are pediatric spinal problems?

Proper spine health helps your child’s posture, movement and strength. But a variety of spine problems can affect your child’s spine function.

Spinal problems in children happen when the spine is abnormally curved. It may curve from side to side or curve too much at the bottom or the top of the spine. Spinal problems can also result from injuries, such as sports injuries.

These problems can reduce your child’s ability to move or walk. They can also cause pain and other symptoms, even affecting your child’s breathing.

What are the different types of pediatric spinal problems?

Children can experience many different types of spinal problems, including:

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curve of the spine. In rare, severe cases, it can cause problems with breathing.

Spondylolysis

Spondylolysis is an overuse injury that causes a stress fracture in the vertebrae (bones of the spine).

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a condition that occurs when one of the vertebrae slips forward, causing back pain and muscle tightness.

Kyphosis

Kyphosis is an abnormal outward curve in the mid-spine, causing a “humpback” look.

Lordosis

Lordosis is an abnormal inward curve in the low-spine, causing your child’s buttocks to stick out more than normal,

What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric spinal problems?

• Uneven shoulders

• Uneven waist

• One hip higher than the other

• Tilted pelvis

• Hunched back

• Back pain

• Shoulder blade that appears more prominent than the other

• Difficulty breathing

How are pediatric spinal problems diagnosed?

Our specialists have extensive experience and use the most advanced tools to find the cause of your child’s symptoms. We work together to make sure your child receives an accurate diagnosis as quickly as possible.

Your child may receive:

• Physical exam to look for an abnormal curve in the spine and uneven shoulders, waist or hips

• X-ray to take images of the spine

• CT (computed tomography) scan to make detailed images of your child’s spine

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan to take detailed pictures of the spine, muscles, nerves and other structures of the back

• Bone scans to check your child’s bone density

What causes pediatric spinal problems?

Children may have spinal problems for a variety of reasons. Some spinal problems may be present at birth. Other spinal problems might have no known causes. Some children develop a spinal problem because of other conditions they have, such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy.

Athletes may also develop spine problems, such as spondylosis, from overusing their spine. These are most common in athletes who extend their backs regularly, like football players, gymnasts or tennis players.

How are pediatric spinal problems treated?

At the Andrews Institute, we strive to use nonsurgical treatments whenever possible to correct spine problems. These treatments include:

• Rest or activity modification if an injury caused the spine problem

• Bracing to hold your child’s spine in the proper position to keep the curve from getting worse

• Advanced Mehta casting for infants with spinal deformities

• In-house physical therapy and rehabilitation to increase strength and flexibility and improve posture

Surgery may be needed if your child has a severe spinal problem or if their symptoms continue to get worse. Our expert orthopedic surgeons provide safe, effective surgical procedures, including:

• MAGEC ™ Growing Rods that can be expanded with a magnet as your child grows

• Spinal fusion to prevent further curving

• Vertebral resection, a procedure used rarely to remove part of the spine

• Vertebral band tethering that changes the growth pattern of the spine, helping pull the curve straight as your child grows

We are one of the only pediatric facilities in the country that use custom 3-D guides during pediatric spine surgeries. This technology helps us provide highly accurate surgeries, leading to safer, more effective procedures.