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How does spina bifida progress over time?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have spina bifida, which is a slow degenerative syndrome. In the long run, what kind of deterioration will take place?
Answered by Dr. Solanki Chirag Natwarbhai

Education:

MCh Neurosurgery

Professional Bio:

Dr. Chirag Solanki is a General Surgeon specializing in Neurosurgery and Spine surgery with eight years of clinical experience. He is an expert and has a particular interest in functional neuromodulation surgery, neurovascular and endovascular surgery, neuro-onco surgery, brachial plexus, and peripheral nerve surgery. Dr. Chirag Solanki completed his MBBS and MS in General Surgery at the Gujarat University and MCh in Neurosurgery at the National Academy of Medical Sciences. Currently, he is practicing in Zydus Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

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Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Spina bifida may progress to involve both legs, where one may develop tingling numbness and weakness. One may also develop urinary retention and overflow incontinence. Many times, if there is an associated cranial abnormality like Chiari malformation, then similar symptoms in the upper limbs and hydrocephalus in the head may also develop.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you very much for your reply. But I have one more doubt after going through your answer, can all this deterioration take place in one day or it is a gradual deterioration?

Answered by Dr. Solanki Chirag Natwarbhai

Education:

MCh Neurosurgery

Professional Bio:

Dr. Chirag Solanki is a General Surgeon specializing in Neurosurgery and Spine surgery with eight years of clinical experience. He is an expert and has a particular interest in functional neuromodulation surgery, neurovascular and endovascular surgery, neuro-onco surgery, brachial plexus, and peripheral nerve surgery. Dr. Chirag Solanki completed his MBBS and MS in General Surgery at the Gujarat University and MCh in Neurosurgery at the National Academy of Medical Sciences. Currently, he is practicing in Zydus Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is a slow deterioration if it happens. Most of the time, a person may have spina bifida occulta, which may be completely asymptomatic and may not develop any of this problem throughout their lives.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At May 5, 2017
Reviewed At November 26, 2025

Education:

MCh Neurosurgery

Professional Bio:

Dr. Chirag Solanki is a General Surgeon specializing in Neurosurgery and Spine surgery with eight years of clinical experience. He is an expert and has a particular interest in functional neuromodulation surgery, neurovascular and endovascular surgery, neuro-onco surgery, brachial plexus, and peripheral nerve surgery. Dr. Chirag Solanki completed his MBBS and MS in General Surgery at the Gujarat University and MCh in Neurosurgery at the National Academy of Medical Sciences. Currently, he is practicing in Zydus Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Solanki Chirag Natwarbhai
Dr. Solanki Chirag Natwarbhai

Neurosurgery

Education:

MCh Neurosurgery

Professional Bio:

Dr. Chirag Solanki is a General Surgeon specializing in Neurosurgery and Spine surgery with eight years of clinical experience. He is an expert and has a particular interest in functional neuromodulation surgery, neurovascular and endovascular surgery, neuro-onco surgery, brachial plexus, and peripheral nerve surgery. Dr. Chirag Solanki completed his MBBS and MS in General Surgery at the Gujarat University and MCh in Neurosurgery at the National Academy of Medical Sciences. Currently, he is practicing in Zydus Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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weaknesstingling sensationnumbnessurinary retentionurinary incontinencespina bifidachiari malformationhydrocephalus

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