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Surgery for Tethered Cord Syndrome

Tethered cord syndrome is typically associated with spina bifida. It is a neurological disorder in which tissues around the spinal cord interfere with the movement and development of the spinal cord. Possible symptoms of tethered cord syndrome include spine curvature, leg numbness, leg deformities and incontinence.

  1. Surgery

    • Surgery to treat tethered cord syndrome involves separating the abnormal tissue attachments that are hampering the spinal cord's movement. According to NeurosurgeryToday.org, about 10 to 20 percent of patients need more than one surgery to fully correct the problem.

    Recovery

    • After surgery, the patient can typically resume activities in a few weeks. However, the extent of the recovery of nerve and muscle function varies depending on the individual patient.

    Complications

    • According to NeurosurgeryToday.org, complications from this surgery only occur in about 1 to 2 percent of patients. The complications may include bleeding, infection and spinal cord damage.

    Time Frame

    • The National Institutes of Health recommends early surgery for tethered cord syndrome in children to prevent further damage. A doctor can provide more specific advice for each individual case.

    Significance

    • Leaving tethered cord syndrome untreated is not advisable, according to Healthline, as this could contribute to permanent nerve and muscle malfunction. This may result in paralysis, deformity and incontinence.

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