Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is a condition where the spine and spinal cord do not form fully before birth. At Modern Physio we focus on understanding the root-cause of your problem & personalizing your treatment for lasting results.
Understanding Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is a condition where the spine and spinal cord do not form fully before birth. Its effects vary enormously depending on where along the spine it occurs and how severe it is — some children walk with little assistance, others use a wheelchair for mobility, and many are somewhere in between. Physiotherapy is one part of a multidisciplinary picture that also involves neurosurgery, urology and orthopaedics. Its role is mobility, strength, joint protection and independence in daily life, worked at over years rather than in a course of sessions.
Common Symptoms
- Weakness or paralysis in the legs, varying with the level of the lesion
- Reduced or absent sensation in the legs and feet
- Bladder and bowel involvement, managed medically
- Joint contractures and foot deformities
- Curvature of the spine
- Difficulty with balance and standing
- Pressure areas on skin with reduced sensation
How Common Is It?
Spina bifida varies widely in severity and in the support each child needs. Two children with the same diagnosis can have very different mobility, which is why goals are set individually rather than by diagnosis.
Causes & Risk Factors
- Incomplete closure of the neural tube early in pregnancy
- Folic acid deficiency before and during early pregnancy as a recognised risk factor
- Genetic and family-history factors
- Certain medications taken in pregnancy
- Often, no single identifiable cause
Our Diagnosis Process
- Reviewing the medical diagnosis, surgical history and the current plan from the treating team
- Assessment of muscle strength and sensation level by level
- Assessment of joint range, contractures and spinal alignment
- Assessment of current mobility and equipment
- Skin checks in areas with reduced sensation, and teaching parents to do them
- Setting functional goals with the family
Our Treatment Approach
- Strengthening whatever muscle groups are working, to maximise independent function
- Stretching and positioning to limit contracture development
- Standing and mobility practice appropriate to the child's level, with orthoses where indicated
- Wheelchair skills and upper-body strength where wheelchair mobility is the goal
- Skin protection education, which is critical where sensation is reduced
- Coordination with the neurosurgical, urology and orthopaedic teams
Recovery & Prevention Tips
- Check skin daily in areas with reduced sensation — a small unnoticed pressure sore becomes a large problem
- Keep orthoses and equipment reviewed as your child grows
- Report new weakness, changes in bladder or bowel function, or a change in spinal curve promptly — these can signal a shunt or cord issue
- Maintain the stretching routine; contractures develop quietly during growth spurts
- Set goals around participation — school, play, getting around — not only around walking
Products That Can Help
Supports and equipment we fit at the clinic that patients with this condition commonly use alongside treatment — never instead of it.
Evidence & Sources
Spina bifida results from incomplete development of the spine and spinal cord, with effects that vary by level and severity, and management involves a multidisciplinary team including physiotherapy.
NHS — Spina bifidaFrequently Asked Questions
Will my child be able to walk?
It depends principally on the level of the lesion and which muscles are working. Some children walk independently, some walk with orthoses or aids, and some use a wheelchair. Assessment gives a realistic picture, and goals are set from there rather than from the diagnosis alone.
How often is physiotherapy needed?
Usually as episodes of care across childhood rather than continuously — intensive periods around surgery, growth spurts or new goals, with home programmes and review in between.
Why does skin care keep coming up?
Because reduced sensation means an injury or pressure sore can develop without your child feeling it. Daily checking is genuinely one of the most important things a family does.
What should we report urgently?
New or increasing weakness, changes in bladder or bowel function, worsening spinal curvature, or headaches and vomiting in a child with a shunt all need prompt medical assessment rather than a physiotherapy appointment.
Who else is involved in care?
Physiotherapy works alongside your paediatrician or neurologist, never instead of them. Modern Physio does not prescribe medication and has no imaging on site; where medical review, investigation or a specialist opinion is needed, you will be told so and referred.
Medically Reviewed
This content was reviewed for medical accuracy by Dr. Surabhi Bansal, BPT, MPT (Ortho) with 14+ years of clinical experience.
At Modern Physio, all medical content undergoes a thorough review process to ensure accuracy and alignment with current physiotherapy standards. Our content is created to educate and should not replace professional medical advice. Learn more about our review process.
Ready to Get Better?
Our expert physiotherapists can help you recover from spina bifida with personalized treatment plans.
Recommended Treatments for Spina Bifida
Our expert physiotherapists recommend these effective treatments for spina bifida
Neurological Rehabilitation
Movement, balance and coordination rehabilitation for neurological conditions.
Exercise Therapy
Play-based, graded strengthening and motor practice for children.
Assessment & Education
Detailed assessment and a home programme parents are taught to run.
Home Physiotherapy
Sessions at home in Jaipur, often easier for children and families.
All Pediatric Physiotherapy Treatments
Browse all our treatments for pediatric physiotherapy conditions.