Tethered Spinal Cord is a rare form of spinal deformity that limits the movement of the spinal cord at its base, leading to additional issues like scoliosis. She learned the pathology reports from her neurosurgery, confirming she was born with spina bifida and tethered cord syndrome. A tethered spinal cord is a spinal cord that is pulled down and stuck, or fixed, to the spinal canal. The spinal cord typically divides into small nerve roots at the L2 vertebral body. It later rolls into a tube encased inside the spine. Tethered cord syndrome. If the spinal cord is stuck, it … The term occult spinal dysraphism (OSD) encompasses a group of abnormalities that occur during the development of a human embryo, beginning in the third week of gestation. During development of the spinal cord, tissue and fat, or other body elements that do not belong near the spinal cord can become attached to the spinal cord. This often leads to nerve damage and pain. In children, a tethered cord causes the spinal cord to stretch as the child grows. Learn to recognize signs and symptoms of TSC, as well as surgical treatments for adult & pediatric scoliosis. In this procedure, some or all of a vertebra in the spinal column is removed, reducing the strain on the spinal cord and in effect shortening a patient’s height. Surgery is the most common treatment to “untether” the spinal cord from the spinal tissue. Tethered spinal cord syndrome is a disorder that occurs when the spinal cord becomes attached to the tissues surrounding the spine. As a child with tethered spinal cord syndrome grows, their spinal cord becomes stretched out. According to Children's Hospital Boston, as a baby develops the spinal cord begins as a flat plate of cells 1. As a result, the movements of the spinal cord are limited. When there are no impediments, the cord will move up and down freely in the channel within the spine. https://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/resource/spinal-cord-tethering During that appointment, she hears her spinal cord is permanently damaged, and the spasticity is permanent as well. The spinal cord includes the bundle of nerves that controls leg movement and sensation as well as bladder function. What is Tethered Cord? The good news is that tethered spinal cord is a very treatable condition, especially when diagnosed and treated early. A tethered cord refers to a condition in which the lower spinal cord is restricted (“tethered”) and is not free to develop normally with in the spinal column. The spine will grow faster than the cord. The spinal cord normally floats free inside the spinal canal. Tethered spinal cord is common in children with spina bifida, but it also occurs in children who don’t have this condition. 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