Your Notifications
All done, no notifications

What is Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome?

A tethered spinal cord happens when your spinal cord abnormally attaches to the wall of your spinal canal. Usually, your spinal cord moves freely inside your spinal canal.

When your spinal cord attaches to your spinal canal, this can limit its movement and cause tension. This tension can cause your spinal cord to stretch and may damage it and restrict blood flow to your spinal nerves.

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

Since long-standing symptoms might not go away once the spinal cord is freed, it is best to treat the tethered cord as soon as possible following diagnosis. Treatment aims to stop the symptoms from getting worse and, in certain situations, to reverse them.

What are the Common Symptoms of Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome?

Individual differences in the symptoms of a tethered spinal cord can be significant. Some newborns have signs of a tethered spinal cord. Tethered cord symptoms typically appear in youngsters as they get older. Rarely, some people have no symptoms as children but, if left untreated, may develop symptoms as adults.

Tethered spinal cord syndrome in adults and children may be linked to:

  • Walking difficulties
  • Your lower back may have dimples, benign tumours, or hair patches
  • Haemangiomas, a kind of birthmark, and patches of discoloured skin
  • Your back or legs may feel numb
  • Severe back or leg discomfort that frequently spreads to your genital area or rectum
  • Scoliosis
  • Acrochordons, or skin tags
  • Difficulty controlling one's bowels and bladder.
  • Spinal cord cysts filled with fluid (syringomyelia)
  • Muscular atrophy is the loss of muscular mass.

Connect with our advisor for a PRIORITY response

Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome Prevention Tips

Although tethered spinal cords cannot be avoided, symptoms can be reversed with early intervention. If you or your kid exhibit any signs of a tethered spinal cord, get medical help immediately.

Treatment options for Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome

Spinal Fusion Surgery: Spinal cord fusion surgery and laminectomy are typically performed by a neurosurgeon, a medical professional specialising in brain and spine surgeries. They start by cutting your lower back. After that, doctors carefully remove scar tissue and separate the spinal cord from the spinal canal using surgical instruments. To keep the patient's spine in a more straight posture, an orthopedic surgeon will fasten screws and rods to the curved portion. Bone chips will be positioned around the impacted vertebrae to promote bone formation. This spine portion will eventually unite to form a stable, solid bone.


Cost Start From USD 6500 - USD 9500Explore Options

A tethered spinal cord is typically diagnosed by a neurologist, a medical professional specialising in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. They ask about symptoms and physically examine you or your child. Usually, they additionally employ imaging tests like:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Examines your spinal cord, nerves, and surrounding structures using radio waves and magnets.
    Myelogram: A contrast dye is injected by your healthcare practitioner into the membrane that envelops your spinal cord, known as the thecal sac. They then check for tethering to your spinal canal using an X-ray.
  • CT scan: This examination uses specialised computers and X-rays to examine your body. Neurologists may utilise a CT scan following a myelogram to observe the contrast dye flow around your spinal cord.
  • Ultrasound: Your healthcare provider employs high-frequency sound waves to see within your body. Your neurologist may use it to examine the movement of your spinal cord within your spinal canal. Young newborns are the most common users of this.

MediRehab (chain of Rehab centers - part of MediGence provides comprehensive rehabilitation services designed to support Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome patients in India.

Following surgery, some patients may require physical or occupational therapy to help them regain function. Although it is unlikely to repair nerve damage that has already occurred, the procedure is done to stop further nerve damage. Therefore, even after treatment, some persons may still experience muscle weakness or difficulty with motor control (movement).

Only surgery is the option to treat Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome. However, doctors may prescribe medications for symptoms while recovering from surgery.

Instantly Connect with our Specialists

Doctor 1
Doctor 2
Doctor 3
Doctor 4
Doctor 5
Doctor 6
Doctor 7
Doctor 8

Hospitals for Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome in India

Clear Medi Hospital, Karkardooma: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Clear Medi Hospital, Karkardooma

Delhi, India

Clear Medi Hospital, Karkardooma located in New Delhi, India is accredited by ISO. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • There are 12 Linear Accelerators in all hospitals of Clear Medi Hospital, Delhi, India and more in the development stage.
  • Over 25 surgical and medical specialties across all Clear Medi Hospitals
  • Care Medi is one of the biggest Oncology care organisations in India.
  • Hospital management solutions provided to over 15 partner healthcare organisations managing more than 300 beds.
  • The organisation consists of offerings such as clinical manpower management and equipment management.
  • Advanced radiology and nuclear medicine centres
  • Professionally managed international patient care
  • Clear Medi Hospital, Delhi has a capacity of 100 beds.
  • Clear Medi is a multispecialty hospital.
  • It is a NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare providers) certified hospital.
  • It has Oncology and Cardiac departments with an Intensive Care Unit.
  • It also has fully equipped Operation Theatres.
  • Clear Medi Hospital ensures coordination with patients and International Patient assistance
  • It has an online Tumor Board with a number of Medical, Surgical and Radiation Oncologists.
VPS Rockland Hospital: Top Doctors, and Reviews
VPS Rockland Hospital

Gurgaon, India

VPS Rockland Hospital located in Gurugram, India is accredited by NABH, NABL. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • Well-designed compact 103-bed hospital expanding over120,000 square feet
  • Well equipped modular operation theatres, intensive care unit, interventional Cath lab, and in-patient rooms ranging from economy to luxury
  • Offers a bouquet of services like Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Surgery, Pediatrics
  • High-end diagnostic services like 1.5 T MRI and 128 slice CT Scan
  • Advanced non-invasive assessment with echo & TMT machines
  • State of the art cardiac Cath-Lab
  • Appointment Scheduling
  • Treatment packages
  • Accommodation arrangement for the accompanying attendant
  • Customized diet for patient and attendant
  • Laundry services
  • Prayer room
  • Visa assistance
  • Pick and drop facility from/to the Airport
  • Foreign exchange facility
  • Registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office
  • Dedicated Neuro-Intensive care unit managed by expert intensivists
  • Accommodation arrangements post discharge
  • Highly advanced instruments for deep brain stimulation, stereotaxy, micro-neurosurgery, pediatric neurosurgery & neurophysiology
  • Most advanced dialysis machines and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic facilities
  • Renal replacement therapy for hemo-dynamically unstable patient
  • Technologically advanced endoscopy suite
  • Wi-Fi/internet service in the room
  • Travel arrangement for patient & attendant post discharge
  • Tele-consults post discharge
  • Dialysis beds
  • 24x7 ‘Trauma & Emergency Center
  • Dedicated blood bank
  • 24x7 comprehensive patient care.
  • Deployed high-end technologies & smart digital system
  • Robust Hospital Information Systems to meet complex medical needs of patients
  • Robotic-assisted surgeries
  • International Patients Lounge
The Madras Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology: Top Doctors, and Reviews
The Madras Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology

Chennai, India

MIOT started its journey with only 70 beds and focusing on Orthopedics and Trauma care. However, we grew into a multi-specialty hospital with time. MIOT is now a 1000-bedded hospital and can offer an extensive range of services across 63 specialties. The state of art laboratory of our hospital is ranked 8th internationally. We have 21 super-specialty operation theaters equipped with cutting-edge technology to help our doctors with complex procedures.

We take great care to make our patient rooms comfortable enough. The patient rooms get plenty of fresh air as well as natural light. The soothing views from the rooms do not let the patients feel cut off from the outside world. We use separate entrances for emergency patients, out-patients, in-patients, and their attendants. We put our patients’ safety first which is why we use a superior air system to ensure a near-zero infection healthy environment.

Apart from that, MIOT’s 24 hours blood bank provides all kinds of blood work related services which include blood collection to component separation. This state-of-art blood bank alone handles more than 30,000 units of blood over the course of a year. Every month around 600 blood transfusions are managed by this blood bank.

MIOT’s SIGNA Pioneer 3T MRI machine is made with noise reduction technology. This silent MRI machine can deliver superior quality neuroimages without wasting any time. The department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences can give tough competition to any international hospital with its advanced technology and accuracy.

The PET CT service at MIOT International is the first of its kind in South India enabling better and more accurate diagnosis than earlier. The superior diagnosis is also possible for the two digital cath labs at MIOT Heart Revive center.

We also have a physiotherapy team where a team of highly efficient physiotherapists deals with the mobility and functional disability issues of our patients. They listen to the patients carefully to identify the root of the pain and use therapeutic exercises to reduce their pain.

The CCU of MIOT is something to be proud of. The specially-trained staff of this unit is dedicated to ensuring top-quality medical support to serious patients. This unit along with the MIOT International Laboratory is the backbone of our facility.

Furthermore, what makes MIOT unique is our Telemedicine service. In the new normal, we are trying everything to reach our patients. Our one of its kind Telemedicine service connects our patients to our 250 full-time doctors over email, phone, chat and video consultations.

Our Services to better your experience

Opinion & Option

We submit the most accurate opinion and options from one or more countries for your review

Consult Privately

Consult with a certified specialist privately on our telemedicine platform even before you decide to travel

Logistics

We handle flights, visas, transfers, and accommodation—so you can focus on your health.

Recovery

Our In-house rehabilitation service packages to better your recovery and treatment outcome

Why Choose India for Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome treatment?

Here are some of the reasons for choosing India:

  • Due to advancements in medical facilities, such as minimally invasive surgical techniques and spinal cord fusion surgery.
  • World-class experts include highly experienced doctors, JCI, and NABH-accredited healthcare institutions.
  • Compared to other countries, treatment in Indian hospitals is cost-effective.
  • Indian hospitals provide international patient services, including a multilingual support system.
  • Improved treatment methods and biological therapies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Tethered Spinal cord syndrome is treatable. Surgery to release (detether) the spinal cord in adults helps lessen the size and progression of cord cysts. Additionally, surgery may relieve some symptoms or restore some function. Other types of treatment can help alleviate TSCS symptoms in both adults and children.

The nation's healthcare institutions offer top-notch treatment alternatives, guaranteeing successful outcomes for many patients. In India, the majority of patients report significant symptom improvement after surgery, especially when diagnosed and treated early. However, success rates can vary based on the severity of the tethering, the patient's unique circumstances, and the surgeon's skill; studies have shown that effectiveness rates in India range from 70% to 90%.

Yes, many Indian hospitals offer the following for Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome treatment:

  • Advanced diagnostic tools like MRI, CT scan, electromyography, and PET scan for accurate diagnoses of Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome.
  • Skilled neurologist, surgeons performing spinal cord fusion for Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome treatment.
  • Comprehensive post-surgery care and rehabilitation for long-term health benefit

Always consider the following factors when selecting Indian hospitals:

  • Hospitals that are accredited (authorised by JCI and NABH).
  • Patient reviews and success rates.
  • Hospitals that provide seamless care to patients from abroad.

The success rates in India can vary based on the severity of the tethering, the patient's unique circumstances, and the surgeon's skill; studies have shown that effectiveness rates in India range from 70% to 90%.

Children who have a tethered spinal cord may experience shooting pain in their legs or back ache. weakness, numbness, or issues with the function of the leg muscles.

Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are essential to minimise the long-term complications of Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome (TSCS), which can cause progressive muscle weakness, numbness in the legs, difficulty walking, impaired bladder and bowel control, chronic back pain, and in severe cases, partial paralysis, if left untreated.

When caring for a child with Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome, it is important to keep an eye on their symptoms, lead a healthy lifestyle, seek early surgical intervention if needed, and work closely with a team of specialists that includes a urologist, physical therapist, and neurosurgeon. This is especially important if the child exhibits any signs of worsening neurological function, such as increased back pain, muscle weakness, or problems controlling their bladder.