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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.

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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.


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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.

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Hospitals for Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome in India

Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram

Gurgaon, India

  • Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, is a 250-bed multi-speciality tertiary care hospital, formerly known as W Pratiksha Hospital.
  • A major medical centre for Delhi NCR and North India, it is situated on Golf Course Extension Road, Sector 56, Gurugram.
  • The hospital's NABH and NABL accreditation ensures compliance with international standards for patient care, safety, and quality.
  • Provides extensive medical care in more than 21 specialities, including as women's health, neurology, orthopaedics, cardiology, and cancer.
  • Advanced robotic-assisted spine surgery tools and neuro-monitoring technology are available at the Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro & Spine (MAIINS), a Centre of Excellence in Neurosciences.
  • Equipped with cutting-edge equipment, such as automated labs, sophisticated imaging, and contemporary operating rooms.
  • Features specialised ICUs, NICUs, and modular OTs built for complex and minimally invasive procedures.
Jaslok Hospital & Research Center: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Jaslok Hospital & Research Center

Mumbai, India

  • Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai, is a 350-bed super-speciality tertiary care hospital, established in 1973 and among India’s most respected private trust hospitals.
  • Located on Peddar Road in South Mumbai, overlooking the Arabian Sea, it serves as a major referral centre for Mumbai, Maharashtra, and patients from across India and abroad.
  • The hospital offers comprehensive care across 50+ specialities and nearly 20 multidisciplinary speciality clinics, addressing complex and advanced medical conditions.
  • Supported by 300+ senior consultants and 200 resident doctors, ensuring high standards of expertise and round-the-clock patient care.
  • Equipped with 75 ICU beds, advanced critical care units, modular operation theatres, and state-of-the-art diagnostic and imaging facilities.
  • Recognised as a leading centre of excellence in Critical Care, Cardiac Sciences, Neurosciences, Oncosciences, Renal Sciences, Gastroenterology, and Assisted Reproduction.
  • A prominent research and academic institution, conducting clinical trials and recognised by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) in 22 specialities.
  • Strong emphasis on quality, patient safety, and evidence-based care, with continuous monitoring of clinical and operational outcomes to meet international healthcare standards.
Apollo Hospitals Bannerghatta: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Apollo Hospitals Bannerghatta

Bangalore, India

Apollo Hospitals Bannerghatta located in Bengaluru, India is accredited by JCI, NABH. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • Bed Capacity is 250
  • Largest and most sophisticated sleep laboratory in the world
  • Technological powerhouse with latest equipments
  • 120 slice CT angiogram
  • 3 Tesla MRI
  • Low energy & High energy Linear Accelerators
  • Navigation System in surgical procedures
  • 4-D Ultrasound for 4 dimensional sonography
  • Digital Fluoroscopy
  • Gamma Camera
  • Stereotactic Robotic Radio- surgery
  • Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • Robotic assisted surgeries
  • Thallium Laser-First in India
  • Holmium Laser-First in South India
  • Digital X-Ray-First in Karnataka
  • 100 plus consultants
  • Uses Y shaped stent for tracheoesophageal fistula
  • Four autologous chondrocyte implantations procedure is performed and several more like Spinal angiolipoma excision, Tibial tuberosity shift with MPSL reconstruction
  • Biggest series of airway stents in India
  • The Minimal Access Surgery Centre (MASC) centre of excellence

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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.