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Our neurosurgeons offer safe, precise treatments for tethered spinal cord syndrome.
The spinal cord, located in the spinal canal running down your back, is a thick tissue column that carries nerve signals. Normally, your spinal cord moves freely within the canal. Sometimes, however, it can attach to the spinal canal, a condition known as tethered spinal cord syndrome or tethered cord syndrome.
Tethered cord syndrome limits the movement of your spinal cord and may cause tension. As a result, the spinal cord stretches, which can restrict blood flow and cause nerve and muscle damage in your lower body.
We provide complete tethered cord syndrome care. We’ll help diagnose your condition early so you can get the best possible treatment.
Tethered cord syndrome symptoms can vary widely between patients. Symptoms usually develop in children as they grow but can also appear at birth or later in adulthood.
Skin abnormalities, like skin tags and discoloration, occur in most children and about 50% of adults with tethered cord syndrome.
You may also experience:
Call your doctor right away if you experience symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve your outcome.
Your neurologist will discuss your symptoms with you and may recommend a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test to find the tethering location or identify the presence of a tumor. Based on the results, our team will develop a treatment plan that works for you. Using advanced surgical techniques and personalized care, we’ll work to help you recover faster and achieve the best possible outcomes.
In most cases, surgery is the main treatment for tethered cord syndrome. The specific type of surgery will depend on your age and the tethering location. In general, a neurosurgeon will make an incision in your lower back to reach the affected area. They’ll use tools to detach your spinal cord from the spinal canal and remove any scar tissue.
After surgery, you can resume light activities, but a full recovery can take six to eight weeks. Retethering is common in growing children, so regular follow-up is important. Your doctor may also recommend physical or occupational therapy to help you regain function. However, some nerve damage may not be fully correctable. Early diagnosis and surgery can improve your recovery and prevent issues after treatment.
If surgery is not an option, your neurologist may recommend alternative treatments to manage symptoms. These can include cutting specific spinal cord nerve roots to reduce pain. Pain medicine, physical therapy and assistive devices, like a back brace, can also help manage symptoms. While these approaches can help reduce discomfort, it’s important to know that surgery remains the only way to release tension and fully detach the spinal cord.
Keck Medicine of USC is a neurosurgery destination, especially for complex conditions.
Our safe, precise surgery techniques and individualized treatments help you heal faster.
We’ll be by your side every step of the way — through diagnosis, surgery and recovery.
