What does a tethered cord mean?
Tethered spinal cord syndrome is a neurologic disorder caused by tissue attachments that limit the movement of the spinal cord within the spinal column. These attachments cause an abnormal stretching of the spinal cord. This syndrome is closely associated with spina bifida.
How do you know if your cord is tethered?
In adults, symptoms of tethered cord often develop slowly, but they can become quite severe. Symptoms may include back pain that radiates to the legs, hips, and the genital or rectal areas. The legs may feel numb or weak, and may lose muscle. Bladder and bowel control may be difficult.
What happens if a baby has a tethered cord?
A tethered spinal cord can cause problems from the time your infant is born, or as your child grows, depending on the cause and severity of the disorder. These problems can include paralysis or reduced sensation in the lower part of your child’s body, which affects movement and bladder control.
What causes a tethered spinal cord?
Tethered spinal cord syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by tissue attachments that limit the movement of the spinal cord within the spinal column. Attachments may occur congenitally at the base of the spinal cord (conus medullaris) or they may develop near the site of an injury to the spinal cord.
Can you see tethered cord on ultrasound?
OPEN NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS Tethered cord is always a feature of open spina bifida and can be seen using prenatal ultrasound (Fig. 7).
How do I know if my child has a tethered cord?
Symptoms of Tethered Spinal Cord Weakness, numbness or problems with muscle function in the legs. Tremors or spasms in the leg muscles. Changes in the way the feet look, like higher arches or curled toes. Loss of bladder or bowel control that gets worse.
How do you fix a tethered spinal cord?
Surgery is the main treatment for a tethered cord. In this procedure, the spinal cord is released from the surrounding spine so that it can move freely. If treated early, any damage resulting from the tethered cord can often be improved.
What is the treatment for tethered cord?
Can you have a tethered cord without spina bifida?
Tethered spinal cord is common in children with spina bifida, but it also occurs in children who don’t have this condition. The good news is that tethered spinal cord is a very treatable condition, especially when diagnosed and treated early.
Is tethered cord hereditary?
Since tethered cord syndrome is a physiological disorder and develops only when it is abnormally stretched, it cannot be connected to genetic factors, unless the congenital susceptibility of spinal cord to oxidative metabolic impairment is proven.
What is a tethered cord, how is it treated?
Tethered spinal cord is common in children with spina bifida, but it also occurs in children who don’t have this condition. The good news is that tethered spinal cord is a very treatable condition, especially when diagnosed and treated early. Surgery is the most common treatment to “untether” the spinal cord from the spinal tissue.
How is tethered cord diagnosed?
Symptoms. In adults,symptoms of tethered cord often develop slowly,but they can become quite severe.
What is the true tethered cord syndrome?
What is the true tethered cord syndrome? The tethered cord syndrome (TCS) is a stretch-induced functional disorder of the spinal cord with its caudal part anchored by an inelastic structure. This article clarifies the reversible lesions that occur in the cord segments above any of the inelastic abnormalities.
What is a tethered spinal cord?
Tethered spinal cord syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by tissue attachments that limit the movement of the spinal cord within the spinal column. Attachments may occur congenitally at the base of the spinal cord (conus medullaris) or they may develop near the site of an injury to the spinal cord.