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

»: 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.

»: The variable effects that scoliosis can have on an individual, the comorbidities associated with progressive scoliosis, and the risks associated with spine surgery call for a strong partnership and care coordination between medical and surgical teams to deliver a patient-centered approach.

»: A coordinated, structured, planned, and incremental team approach can help individuals achieve the overall goals of functionality and independence, as well as successful transition to adulthood.

»: Teams should consider a patient's social determinants of health (e.g., poverty or language barriers) and the effect of scoliosis on quality of life before proceeding with spinal deformity correction.