Question 1

hi doctors, was just wondering what is a tethered spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Tethered spinal cord: A tethered spinal cord is a situation where the spinal cord is abnormally low in the spinal canal. This can be caused by a fatty lesion called a lipoma, or a tight filium, a band of tissue that comes off the end of the spinal cord.

Question 2

my four month old is having surgery for a tethered spinal cord. how long is the recovery?

Accepted Answer

Ask your surgeon: This will best be answered by your pediatric neurosurgeon. Okay to take family with you for consult to help log answers and instructions about this procedure. Be well.

Question 3

could a prominent(possibly deformed) tailbone and neurological symptoms possibly indicate a tethered spinal cord in an adult?

Accepted Answer

Tailbone: Prominent tailbone is not directly associated with a tethered cord. Check with pcp or neurologist for nerve symptoms.

Question 4

what is tethered spinal cord syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Stretched spine: Tethered cord syndrome is where the spinal cord is stretched because it failed to grow along with the rest of the spine. The cord is attached to the sacrum but as we grow as a child this attachment lengthens along with our body growing taller. When this does not happen, the cord stretches and this causes pain, weakness, and bowel/bladder problems. If very symptomatic, it requires surgery.

Question 5

how do i know if i have tethered spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Most often pain: Will be present, and this can include neurologic signs at that level, such as sensory changes or weakness as well. If it is suspected, and MRI should be ordered and it can show tethering normally. Hope that helps!

Question 6

can you tell me more about a partial tethered spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Tethered spinal cord: A tethered spinal cord is a situation where the spinal is being held by a band, a lipoma or a tight cilium below its normal location. a "partially" tethered cord means the cord is abnormally low and a peds neurologist or neurosurgeon can determine if this is clinically significant.

Question 7

is there a preferred way to handle weakness due to tethered spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Tethered cord: The best treatment option for tethered cord is surgery to detether or release the tension on the cord. If you have already had surgery then improving weakness is best treated with physical therapy.

Question 8

i hv spinal cord adult teratoma with tethered cord syndrome opetated before two months.can i ride bicycle or motor bike.pl suggest?

Accepted Answer

Bike riding: Only your surgeon can aswer that! only he/she knows what was done and how stable you are to start doing certain activities. Good luck!

Question 9

brother born spina bifida now 31 diagnosed with tethered spinal cord. needs detethering how common/successful is it? should he see dr in usa or sydney

Accepted Answer

Depends on symptoms: Neurosurgeons both in australia and the usa are quite capable of doing this. Practicality and logistics should dictate where it should be done. Success with detethering depends upon the symptoms that are present, and also the age at which symptoms present. Have a detailed discussion with the neurosurgeon, and perhaps get a second opinion. Choose one who does a fair number of these, at a sb center.

Question 10

i was told two days ago that i may have a tethered cord, is there any exercises i can do to help with the pain i have an mri next wed.

Accepted Answer

Varied symptoms: These varied symptoms cannot be tied together by one diagnosis. A ruptured or bulging disk may account for back and leg symptoms, but look for other causes of muscle cramps and other diffuse aches. After your MRI of the lower back, a neurosurgeon can advise you re diagnosis and treatment options. I suggest you also see your physician or a rheumatologist to investigate the other complaints.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Exercises for a tethered spinal cord

A member asked:

Hi doctors, was just wondering what is a tethered spinal cord?

A member asked:

My four month old is having surgery for a tethered spinal cord. how long is the recovery?

A member asked:

Could a prominent(possibly deformed) tailbone and neurological symptoms possibly indicate a tethered spinal cord in an adult?

A member asked:

What is tethered spinal cord syndrome?

A member asked:

How do i know if i have tethered spinal cord?

A member asked:

Can you tell me more about a partial tethered spinal cord?

A member asked:

Is there a preferred way to handle weakness due to tethered spinal cord?

A member asked:

I hv spinal cord adult teratoma with tethered cord syndrome opetated before two months.can i ride bicycle or motor bike.pl suggest?

A member asked:

Brother born spina bifida now 31 diagnosed with tethered spinal cord. needs detethering how common/successful is it? should he see dr in usa or sydney

A member asked:

I was told two days ago that i may have a tethered cord, is there any exercises i can do to help with the pain i have an mri next wed.

Sponsored Content

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?