Spina Bifida | UAB Medicine Adult Spina Bifida Clinic

Overview

Spina bifida is the most common permanent birth defect in the United States. It is a congenital condition where the spinal cord doesn’t form properly. It may lead to mobility issues, bladder/bowel dysfunction, and neurological complications. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the person and how much the spine is affected.

Our Approach

UAB Medicine’s Adult Spina Bifida Clinic is one of the only clinics of its kind in the southeast. We provide integrated care that addresses physical, functional, and social needs across a patient’s lifespan. The Spina Bifida Association designated our clinic as one of its first Clinic Care Partners, which means that UAB meets 10 important standards in caring for patients with spina bifida.

This clinic provides rehabilitation, urology, and neurosurgery services, along with testing such as X-ray and ultrasound. It also provides access to wound care services; counseling and social services; wheelchair seating and physical therapy; and specialists in orthotic and prosthetic devices. The clinic is a collaboration among the UAB Medicine departments of Neurosurgery, Urology, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, which allows patients to receive a wide range of care during a single clinic visit.