Congenital Spinal Anomalies

Congenital spinal anomalies are defects that occur in the spine during fetal development, resulting in misshapen, absent or interconnected vertebrae that may compromise the spine’s stability and cause harm to the spinal cord. Three of the most often-seen spinal anomalies that occur from birth include curvature of the spine (a condition known as scoliosis), round back (kyphosis) and sway back (lordosis). Kids born with these conditions may have trouble walking or breathing in addition to an abnormal physical appearance. While scoliosis is typically treatable with braces and casts, surgical treatment may be necessary in more severe cases as well as to correctly align the spine in patients with kyphosis or lordosis.