Israeli specialists have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating congenital spine diseases. Our orthopedic and spinal surgeons identify such pathologies in both adult patients and within the framework of prenatal diagnostics.
A wide range of treatment methods for spinal development anomalies allows the specialists at our clinic to achieve success even in the most severe cases. Our doctors are equipped with the latest medications, conservative therapy techniques, and the latest advancements in spinal surgery.
Treatment of Congenital Spine Defects in Israel – Techniques
Congenital anomalies of spinal development include various deformations of the spine, defects of the vertebrae, etc. Most often, specialists at our clinic encounter anomalies such as lumbarization and sacralization, wedge-shaped vertebrae, short neck syndrome, vertebral splitting, and congenital stenosis of the spinal canal.
Lumbarization of the Spine
The lumbar (lower back) region of the spine consists of 5 vertebrae and connects to the sacrum. If the first vertebra is not connected to the sacrum, the patient is diagnosed with "lumbarization of the spine." This pathology of intrauterine development leads to chronic pain syndrome and limited mobility in the back. In cases of significant symptom severity, prolotherapy (proliferative therapy) is recommended – a procedure in which an irritant substance (dextrose, phenolic compounds, lidocaine, glycerin, etc.) is injected into the area where the anomaly is localized, causing local inflammation. This provokes the growth of new connective tissue and improves the fixation of the vertebrae. Prolotherapy usually involves 3-6 procedures, each performed every 2-3 weeks.
Lumbarization can also be treated surgically, during which the vertebrae with excessive mobility are fixed using methods of spinal fusion (joined to adjacent vertebrae with metal bridges and screws or using bone cement).
Sacralization of the Spine
Sacralization of the spine is the pathological fusion of the first lumbar vertebra with the sacrum. The fusion can be bilateral or unilateral and, like lumbarization, can cause chronic pain and limit the patient's mobility. In cases of mild symptom severity, physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed. If conservative treatment methods are ineffective, surgery is performed to remove the sacralized transverse process of the vertebra, with or without subsequent spinal fusion.
Wedge-Shaped Vertebra
A wedge-shaped vertebra is a common congenital anomaly of the spine. A wedge-shaped vertebra (hemivertebra) anatomically consists of a half-arch and half-body. Such hemivertebrae often lead to the development of scoliosis, kyphosis, or lordosis, narrowing of the spinal canal, instability of the spine, and even fractures.
Treatment of this anomaly is surgical and involves resection of the hemivertebra with subsequent spinal fusion (fixation of the sections of the spine above and below the removed hemivertebra). Often after such surgery, the patient is prescribed to wear a brace for a certain period.
Short Neck Syndrome
Short neck syndrome (Klippel-Feil syndrome) occurs as a result of synostosis – pathological fusion of vertebrae or due to a reduced number of cervical vertebrae. This syndrome is treated surgically, using various methods of arthroplasty and spinal fusion. A complete disc replacement can also be performed in the same manner, which helps reduce or eliminate pain. Spinal fusion is used to correct the associated curvature of the cervical spine.
Vertebral Splitting
Vertebral splitting is a pathological congenital failure of fusion of the arch of one of the vertebrae. This leads to incomplete closure of the membranes of the spinal cord and various neurological disorders. Treatment of this condition requires a comprehensive approach, involving various specialists – from neurosurgeons to urologists. The main tasks are to close the defect and correct the deformation of the vertebrae. Often, surgery to close the unfused vertebra is combined with spinal fusion. Many patients with vertebral splitting suffer from associated conditions, the most common of which is hydrocephalus. Treatment of hydrocephalus in our clinic can be conducted in parallel with the main therapy.
Spinal Canal Stenosis
In some cases, spinal canal stenosis may also be a congenital pathology. This anomaly is treated using several surgical techniques, the main one being decompression laminectomy. This involves removing the arch of the vertebra that is compressing the spinal cord and nerve roots. After surgery, instability of the spine may occur, so it is often combined with the installation of anterior or posterior stabilization systems, as well as interspinous fixation systems (various types of implants that restore the stability of the spinal column).
- Endoscopic correction of the spine
Diagnosis of Congenital Anomalies of the Spine
Diagnosis of such pathologies in our clinic can be conducted both during the prenatal period and later – in both children and adult patients. Usually, the examination takes up to 3 days.
First Day – Consultation with a Leading Specialist
Upon arrival at Tel Aviv airport, the patient or patient arriving for prenatal diagnostics is met by a clinic representative – a case manager. The case manager is responsible for the full support of the patient, starting from the transfer from the airport and ending with the organization of diagnostics and treatment. Together with the case manager, the patient arrives at Top Ihilov Clinic, where the first consultation with a leading specialist is conducted.
Second Day – Comprehensive Diagnostic Procedures
The set of procedures to be performed on the second day includes several types of diagnostics. Which ones are needed is determined by the leading specialist.
- X-ray diagnostics – a classic method for identifying congenital pathologies of the spine, which remains relevant today. Using X-rays, our specialists identify anomalies such as accessory or wedge-shaped vertebrae, vertebral fusions, etc.
- Computed tomography – a radiological diagnostic method that allows for a more detailed examination of spinal anomalies.
- MRI – a visualization method that not only diagnoses congenital anomalies of the vertebrae but also studies the condition of the spinal cord and its membranes.
- Prenatal diagnostics involving ultrasound, chorionic biopsy, and other genetic research methods. Such studies are conducted in pregnant women to detect congenital developmental pathologies of the fetus early.
Third Day – Treatment Program
The third day is dedicated to analyzing the results of the patient's examination and selecting the most effective treatment program.
- Spinal neurosurgery. Spine diseases
Treatment of Congenital Spine Defects in Israel – Prices
The best evidence of how affordable the treatment of congenital spine defects in Israel is can be found in the reviews of people who have already undergone therapy in Israeli clinics. Social networks, blogs, and forums on the Internet are full of evidence that the cost of treating congenital spine defects in Israel is at least 20-40% lower than the treatment of similar anomalies in Western European clinics or medical centers in the USA.
Advantages of Treating Congenital Spine Anomalies at Top Ihilov Center
- The extensive clinical experience of our specialists allows for the treatment of even the most severe congenital spine pathologies – for example, such as vertebral splitting. The treatment of the patient involves specialists of various specializations, and their joint efforts allow not only to eliminate the primary pathology but also to treat associated disorders.
- Modern and high-precision equipment is used at Top Ihilov Center for diagnostics and monitoring the dynamics of treatment – primarily the latest tomographs, which are characterized by high informativeness and reduced radiation exposure to the patient (and in the case of magnetic resonance imaging, this exposure is completely absent).
- Each patient at the clinic receives a personalized treatment program, taking into account the patient's condition, the specifics of the particular spinal anomaly, etc. A personal case manager handles issues related to translation, coordination of doctors, and organization of various trips.