Israeli specialists have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating congenital spine disorders. Our orthopedic and spinal surgeons identify such pathologies in both adult patients and in the context 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 utilize the latest medications, conservative therapy techniques, and the latest advancements in spinal surgery.
Treatment of Congenital Spine Defects in Israel – Techniques
Congenital anomalies of spine development include various deformities 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, split vertebrae, and congenital spinal canal stenosis.
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 for the patient – 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 typically 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 with 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 subsequent spinal fusion or without it.
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. Often, such hemivertebrae 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 due to 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.
Split Spine
Split spine represents a pathological congenital failure of fusion of the arch of one of the vertebrae. This leads to incomplete closure of the spinal cord membranes 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, the surgery to close the unfused vertebra is combined with spinal fusion. Many patients with split spine suffer from associated conditions, the most common of which is hydrocephalus. Treatment of hydrocephalus at our clinic can be conducted in parallel with the main therapy.
Spinal Canal Stenosis
In some cases, spinal canal stenosis can 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, spinal instability 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
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Diagnosis of Congenital Anomalies of the Spine
The diagnosis of such pathologies at 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 arriving for prenatal diagnostics is met by a clinic representative – a case manager. The case manager is responsible for the complete 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 the Top Ichilov 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, fusion of vertebrae, etc.
- Computed tomography – a radiological diagnostic method that allows for a more detailed examination of spinal anomalies.
- MRI – a visualization method that allows not only for the diagnosis of congenital anomalies of the vertebrae but also for studying the condition of the spinal cord and its membranes.
- Prenatal diagnostics with 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 treatment for congenital spine defects is in Israel is the testimonials of people who have already undergone therapy in Israeli clinics. Social networks, blogs, and forums on the Internet are full of evidence that treatment for congenital spine defects in Israel costs at least 20-40% less than treatment for similar anomalies in Western European clinics or in medical centers in the USA.
Advantages of Treating Congenital Anomalies of the Spine at the Top Ichilov Center
- The extensive clinical experience of our specialists allows for the treatment of even the most severe congenital pathologies of the spine – for example, such as split vertebrae. Various specialists participate in the treatment of the patient, and their combined efforts allow not only to eliminate the primary pathology but also to treat associated disorders.
- For diagnostics and monitoring the dynamics of treatment at the Top Ichilov center, modern and highly accurate equipment is used – 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.