I was told that I have a form of Spina Bifida in the top two vertebrae of my spine. Can a person get Spina Bifida at the top of the spine?

Yes. Spina bifida (open spine) can occur with any of the vertebrae. The condition occurs in up to 10% of the population and is more common in the lower spine. Usually it is found by accident when the spine is x-rayed for another reason. Spina Bifida is the non-union of the vertebrae during development, usually in the first month of pregnancy. This means that the bony part of the vertebra does not form a complete circle and there is an open part in the back – essentially a hole in the spine. While the spine has a defect in it, the spinal cord, which contains all of the nerves, may be unaffected.

When the spinal cord is affected there can be several different conditions from a tethered cord, to a fluid sac in the cord (syrinx), to an outpouching of the cord through the hole in the spine (myelomengingocele). These are usually diagnosed though an MRI.

If your Spina Bifida was found by accident when looking for another diagnosis, I do not think you need to do anything else. If you were having pain, weakness, or unusual sensations, particularly in your hands or arms, you may wish to have an orthopedist or neurosurgeon review your symptoms and test results.

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