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  • Tethered Spinal Cord

    I just received my mylagram results back from Dr. Hanson here in Houston. My diagnosis is a Tethered Spinal Cord. He recommends I see a Neurosurgeon, Dr. Blacklock.

    Has anyone been diagnosed with this? I've never heard of it until now.

    Thanks,

    Steve

  • #2
    Hi Steve,

    Having a tethered spinal cord diagnosis is a broad term. It means there is something preventing your spinal cord from functioning completely. The spinal cord is supposed to float freely in the spinal fluid. There are a number of things that can cause a tether in the spinal cord. Meeting with a neurosurgeon who knows how to treat tethered spinal cord patients is a good idea. There is a great team of neurosurgeons in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. I am on an email list for patients (mostly parents of children, but several adult patients post too) with tethered spinal cord issues. Let me know if you are interested in websites/email lists.
    Carmell
    mom to Kara, idiopathic scoliosis, Blake 19, GERD and Braydon 14, VACTERL, GERD, DGE, VEPTR #137, thoracic insufficiency, rib anomalies, congenital scoliosis, missing coccyx, fatty filum/TC, anal stenosis, horseshoe kidney, dbl ureter in left kidney, ureterocele, kidney reflux, neurogenic bladder, bilateral hip dysplasia, right leg/foot dyplasia, tibial torsion, clubfoot with 8 toes, pes cavus, single umblilical artery, etc. http://carmellb-ivil.tripod.com/myfamily/

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    • #3
      Information

      Hi Carmell,

      I would definitely like some websites addresing tethered spinal cord issues.

      Thank you for your reply.

      Comment


      • #4
        Wow!

        Hi Steve:

        I guess you got a curve ball. Did Hanson think that this problem was related to the prior back problems or is it new event?

        Good thing you had the test done. . .

        Comment


        • #5
          I know...

          Hi,

          Dr. Hanson’s nurse gave the results. I'm assuming it’s related to my Herrington rod, and stupid me, didn’t even think of asking. I have a second opinion coming up on Oct 9th with another Orthopedic. The Neurosurgeon Hanson recommended can’t even see me until Nov.

          Steve

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi Steve,

            There is a Yahoo email list found here:

            http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/LMC-TCS/

            Once you are a member, go to the "links" section of that group and you'll find several articles and information about Tethered Spinal Cord issues. Also, you can post on the list and ask for adult members to contact you. There are several. They have a wealth of information.

            If I find something else, I'll let you know.
            Carmell
            mom to Kara, idiopathic scoliosis, Blake 19, GERD and Braydon 14, VACTERL, GERD, DGE, VEPTR #137, thoracic insufficiency, rib anomalies, congenital scoliosis, missing coccyx, fatty filum/TC, anal stenosis, horseshoe kidney, dbl ureter in left kidney, ureterocele, kidney reflux, neurogenic bladder, bilateral hip dysplasia, right leg/foot dyplasia, tibial torsion, clubfoot with 8 toes, pes cavus, single umblilical artery, etc. http://carmellb-ivil.tripod.com/myfamily/

            Comment


            • #7
              Im interested in the DFW area team of Neurosurgeons

              Originally posted by Carmell
              Hi Steve,

              Having a tethered spinal cord diagnosis is a broad term. It means there is something preventing your spinal cord from functioning completely. The spinal cord is supposed to float freely in the spinal fluid. There are a number of things that can cause a tether in the spinal cord. Meeting with a neurosurgeon who knows how to treat tethered spinal cord patients is a good idea. There is a great team of neurosurgeons in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. I am on an email list for patients (mostly parents of children, but several adult patients post too) with tethered spinal cord issues. Let me know if you are interested in websites/email lists.
              I have a 12 year old daughter, with scoliosis, needing to see a neurosurgeon for a medium to significant syrinx found on her MRI. It took 2 weeks just to get an appointment for November 27th. We are trying to get an earlier appointment if the nurse can call and get her worked in, but still want a second opinion. I am interested in website/email lists please. Thank you.
              Shirley
              Mom to Amanda, 18, Scoliosis T58, previous Spinecor bracing for 9 months before diagnosed with Chiari I CM, and Syringomyelia (Syrinx) SM. CM/SM decompression surgery 12/4/06, Spinal fusion surgery with titanium rods and hardware and full correction 8/1/07 at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

              Also mom to Megan, 14, with diagnosis PDD-NOS on the autism spectrum

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Mom37
                I have a 12 year old daughter, with scoliosis, needing to see a neurosurgeon for a medium to significant syrinx found on her MRI. It took 2 weeks just to get an appointment for November 27th. We are trying to get an earlier appointment if the nurse can call and get her worked in, but still want a second opinion. I am interested in website/email lists please. Thank you.

                What heart breaking news! What made you decide to finally get an MRI done? I thought you were seeing a chiropractor for the Spinecor and then you visited Shriners Erie for a consult ? Here is a website of pediatric neurosurgeons, there is an area where you can key in your state and find out the closest neurosurgeon to you.

                http://www.aspn.org/
                Last edited by Celia; 09-23-2006, 09:51 PM.

                Canadian eh
                Daughter, Deirdre born Oct 2000. Diagnosed with 60 degree curve at the age of 19 months. Serial casting by Dr. Hedden at Sick Kid's Hospital. Currently being treated by Dr. Rivard and Dr. Coillard in Montreal with the Spinecor brace and curve is holding at "2" degrees. Next appointment 2008

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                • #9
                  Thanks for your concern and reply!

                  After we went to Shriners we decided to go for a third Orthopedic opinion. We went to Shriners in Erie, PA first, as they do both Spinecor and Boston. We figured they would be able to give a better objective opinion. They said no brace would stop curve, and eventually surgery would be probable. We went to Scottish Rite in Dallas because we decided that we would consider a hard brace. They said her curve was not the typical Ideopathic Scoliosis, as she has a high right thorasic curve, and wanted to check for a cyst in her spinal cord. We had already been told by everyone her curve was a little different. She was braced in Spinecor with a European right thorasic curve. We were told by this doctor that she may be past bracing as she is right on the border. Scottish Rite was is holding off on hard brace to see MRI results. Now they don't want to do anything until we see the Neurosurgeon. She has a cyst ,a Syrinx, and is diagnosed with Syringomelia. The best way I can explaine it is a long pocket of spinal fluid. It is medium to significant from c4-t7. This website explains it for anyone interested www.asap.org. Thanks for the link! I really appreciate it! Nov. 27th is too long away.
                  Shirley
                  Mom to Amanda, 18, Scoliosis T58, previous Spinecor bracing for 9 months before diagnosed with Chiari I CM, and Syringomyelia (Syrinx) SM. CM/SM decompression surgery 12/4/06, Spinal fusion surgery with titanium rods and hardware and full correction 8/1/07 at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

                  Also mom to Megan, 14, with diagnosis PDD-NOS on the autism spectrum

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I have a split and tethered cord. These are some useful links - they are all listed in my WWW link pages attached to my blog:

                    http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/wha...e/tethered.asp

                    http://www.btinternet.com/%7Etethere...dysraphism.htm (contains info on more than just tethering)

                    http://www.pullthrough.org/ptnn13.html

                    http://www.muhealth.org/%7Eneuromed/tetheredcord.shtml

                    http://www.aans.org/education/journa...n01/10-1-7.pdf

                    I hope you find these useful.

                    My cord is tethered in two places - at T12 and L4. Many people who have tethering have no further symptoms, but it is best to talk to a neurosurgeon.

                    Hope it all goes well for you.
                    Double 63(T)/75(L) deg curve with big sideways shift - Surgery in UK on 8th February 2006.
                    Post op 30(T)/33(L)
                    http://warpedwoman.blogspot.com/

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