Our son, age l7, has recently been diagnosed with Occulta. We were told by a specialist that if he was going to have Spina Bifida, this was the any type to have, and that he can live a normal life. However, my son still complains of back problems and recently he was at a Camp in the U.S. and put out his back again. My son is an excellent basketball player. His goal is BASKETBALL and he is very, very good. If he's already been complaining of back problems, what could we do? Is he making his back worse by playing in competitive sports? What can we give him nutritionally (supplements), other treatments, or clinical trials, to help him ease the pain?

Congratulations on your excellent athlete. Spina Bifida Occulta (literally- hidden open spine) is a common finding occurring in 10% or more of the population. For most people, it is an incidental X-ray finding that is diagnosed when looking at the spine for other reasons, commonly during X-rays after a car accident. Usually Spina Bifida Occulta involves only the bony vertebrae. The defect is a non-union or hole in the vertebrae so they do not completely surround the spinal cord. Usually this is in the lower (lumbar) back or near the butt bone (sacrum) and involves 1-3 vertebrae.

Because your son is having back pain, it is important to consider an underlying problem with his spinal cord. This is best assessed by an MRI, which can look for developmental abnormalities of the spinal nerves, such as a tethering of the cord to the wall of the spinal canal, a thickening of the spinal cord, or splitting of the cord. These can all be seen on an MRI. If your specialist was a neurosurgeon or an orthopedist who has expertise in spine disorders, and this doctor reviewed the MRI, you can be comfortable that none of these findings were present.

As for back pain in young men with Spina Bifida Occulta and no spinal cord involvement, I would first attribute this to typical mechanical back pain like any high performance athlete can have. I would work with a physical therapist and trainer on back strengthening exercises, proper stretching, and warm up exercises. If the pain persists despite this, I would recommend a sports medicine specialist.

Aside from overall good nutrition, adequate calcium and vitamin-D intake, and good hydration, I do not know of any supplements helpful to the young athlete with Spina Bifida Occulta. I am not aware of any clinical trials in this area. I do not think participation in basketball is hurting his back. Remember 10% or more of the population also has this diagnosis, many who play sports.

For more information on Spina Bifida Occulta, see our Fact Sheet section.

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