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Tethered cord treatment as an adult? Outcome?
Spine Health | Last Active: 19 hours ago | Replies (12)Comment receiving replies
@rainyb91566
They found mine when I was 51. I had gotten worse over time. Could barely walk or use my arms. I had the surgery right away and when I woke up I felt better than I had in 20 years and still do. I'll be 60 this month and I have quality of life. I know it's a scary surgery, but from what I understand it's the only treatment and it will stop the damage that's being done every minute it's tethered. My spine is messed up from top to bottom and I still have lots of symptoms, but I can garden and go for walks and concerts. I was almost in a wheel chair for the rest of my life. If I were you I would see a good neurosurgeon. It will stop the damage, and I hope you are as lucky as I am and you improve. Good Luck
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@kaylener - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. What a testament to having this surgery as an adult and the possibility for hope and quality of life!
My son, a teenager, had this surgery at age 3 months, and he is fine. He has what we call "an upside down happy face" scar that you can see above his swimsuit somewhat. He also had a large hemangioma marking the tethered spinal cord that the surgeon cut out (we were glad for this, as it was quite ugly and menacing), so I think his scar is a bit bigger than usual.
I did not know one could have such a turnaround as an adult (I realize you said you still have lots of symptoms), probably because with a baby with a tethered spinal cord, they tell you about everything you want to avoid by having the surgery as soon as possible.
I echo finding a good neurosurgeon. The pediatric neurosurgeon who did my son's spinal surgery was so good that family members were commenting on how calm I was as the momma. Guess having a surgeon you feel confident in makes a big difference.
What were your symptoms before surgery, kaylener, and what are they like now?