Post Surgical Tethered Cord Syndrome

Tethered cord syndrome is a condition characterized by an abnormal tissue attachment to the spinal cord. More commonly referred to as tethered spinal cord syndrome, this fusion of tissue limits the overall movement of your spinal cord, resulting in fairly uncomfortable and unexplainable symptoms. Though most cases of tethered spinal cords are a result of a congenital defect, it's possible to develop this abnormal attachment during the healing process after a spinal surgery, especially in cases of multiple surgical procedures. This would essentially make post surgical tethered cord syndrome a potential complication of back surgery.

Identification

• When the tip of your spinal cord fuses with other tissue along your lower spine, such as its protective lining, it can cause a tethered cord. And once the cord is tethered, not only does this restrict its movement, but it can also produce some stretching, particularly in children. This is largely due to the fact that children aren't yet fully grown, including the length of their spine. As we age and increase in height, the fused section keeps the base of the spinal cord tethered, causing it to abnormally stretch. However, it's also possible for this distention to take place as we move, so even adults can suffer cord stretching after a surgical procedure.

Symptoms

• One of the main symptoms of post surgical tethered cord is pain. But this pain isn't just isolated to the back; you may also experience some level of pain within your legs. Pain is often accompanied by the sensations of tingling or numbness and even a loss of strength within your back and legs. This can affect your posture and gait as well as other muscles of your back, resulting in spasms. You may begin to suffer issue involving urination and bowel movements, such as an increased frequency, urgency and even incontinence. In some situations, a dimple or discoloration may form on you lower back, near the area of tethering.

Complications

• As with almost any condition that can affect the body, post surgical tethered cord syndrome isn't without its complications. If left untreated, you may begin to develop lesions or cysts along the distended areas of the spinal cord. This may worsen pain, numbness and weakness within the associated appendages and back.

Treatment

• Surgical repair is really the only form of treatment for post surgical tethered cord syndrome. The fused are needs to be "detethered" for the cord to return to normal. This should alleviate the symptoms of the condition and reduce the chances of other complications that may result from the tethering. Yet not everyone is a viable candidate for surgery. In this situation, the nerve endings are severed, thereby eliminating many of the associated symptoms while still keeping the cord tethered.

Prognosis

• In either situation, most people are able to return to a normal daily life free of pain and other symptoms. If the cord is unable to be detethered, follow-up visits are often necessary to ensure that lesion or cysts do not form along the spinal cord.