Team Approach: The Management of Adolescents and Adults with Scoliosis and Spina Bifida

Abstract

Globally, the prevalence of myelomeningocele, the most common subtype of spina bifida, is 0.2 to 6.5 per 1,000 live births. In the U.S., adults account for .67% of the overall population with spina bifida.» With an estimated prevalence of up to 50%, scoliosis is one of the most common and severe orthopaedic conditions in patients with myelomeningocele.Disclosure: The Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest forms are provided with the online version of the article (http://links.lww.com/JBJSREV/A814).

Continuity of Care for the Child With Spina Bifida

“…Although each child will require their own set of needs and specialists, team members may include a primary care provider, occupational and physical therapists, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, an orthopedic provider, a neurosurgeon, a urologist, a school nurse, a psychologist, an obstetrics and gynecologic provider, a skin health educator, a registered dietician, and a gastrointestinal provider (Bradko et al, 2022). To ensure safety and management of needs while in the school environment, a school psychologist, a counselor, a social worker, and members of the teaching team (teachers, aides, and staff ) should be included in the child's plan of care.…”