General Information About Tethered Cord Syndrome
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the condition where the lower end of the spinal cord, which should normally move freely within the spinal canal, becomes stuck or anchored by attaching to the bones or membranes in the tailbone area.
It is mostly a congenital defect associated with developmental anomalies in the womb (like Spina Bifida). Sometimes, adhesions created by previous surgeries in the lower back area can also tether the spinal cord.
In newborns or young children, abnormal hair growth just below the lower back (above the tailbone), a dimple in the skin, a lump, or vascular spots are the most important warning signs.
As the child grows taller, the tethered spinal cord is stretched. This stretching causes pain and numbness in the legs, toes curling inward (deformity), delayed walking, and urinary/fecal incontinence (loss of bladder/bowel control).
In patients with clinical suspicion, an Ultrasound of the Lower Back in the newborn period, and a Spinal MRI (Magnetic Resonance)—the gold standard for older children and adults—are used to detect that the spinal cord terminates lower than normal.
Due to the progressive nature of the disease, there is no medical (drug) treatment. Before neurological loss begins (or progresses further), the Neurosurgery department performs a microsurgical procedure to cut the attachment and release the spinal cord.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
