Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome
Tethered spinal cord syndrome (TSCS) is also sometimes known by the name occult spinal dysraphism sequence. The condition describes a structural condition which limits the free movement of the
spinal cord
inside the spinal canal. Typically, the cord is suspended freely in the spinal fluid, but in the case of TSCS, the cord is bound and abnormally stretched by tissue attachments.
Tethered Spinal Cord Facts
TSCS is a rare neurological condition and is often completely asymptomatic. Many cases are not even diagnosed until adulthood, since symptoms in young patients are particularly uncommon. Sometimes age and degenerative wear and tear cause pain and other symptoms to occur in adults. The condition can be diagnosed with an
MRI,
CT scan or myelogram. TSCS is often related to
spina bifida
and affects a considerable percentage of bifida patients. Even harmless cases of bifida can involve symptomatic TCSC later in life as the spinal cord is stretched beyond normal proportions and becomes progressively weaker in its neurological functions. Remember, the spinal cord is naturally designed to be suspended in the central canal without any restriction of movement. When it is actually bound or attached, fibers can rip or stretch, losing structural integrity and possibly enacting neurological consequences.
Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome Symptoms
Some cases of the condition do not and will not cause noticeable symptoms. However, many cases are problematic at some point and might cause
back pain,
sciatica,
neurological symptoms (such as
weakness
numbness
and
tingling)
and incontinence. The physical traits associated with the condition include: lesions, dimples or hairy patches on the lower back,
cyst
formation around the spinal cord, skin discoloration in the affected region and
scoliosis
or other spinal curvature. The degree of experienced symptoms varies greatly from patient to patient and serious permanent nerve damage is possible in rare instances.
Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome Advice
This is a tricky condition to deal with, since it can exist for years without causing any problems and then can strike seriously and suddenly, affecting the overall quality of a patient’s life. TSCS is most often a progressive condition and patients with significant discomfort might require
back surgery
or other drastic
back pain treatments
to manage their symptoms. There are many reasons why TSCS might exist, including trauma, idiopathic congenital condition, spina bifida complication, thickening of the filum terminale, back surgery complication, lipoma and many other far less common causations. This condition should be treated carefully and patients are advised to find a specialist for any ongoing care. Luckily, many cases are either asymptomatic for many years or demonstrate minor symptoms which can be managed through non-surgical modalities.
Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome to Back Pain
8/29/08 Revised 12/4/11
|
