2 replies to this topic

[kyle19]

I hope I posted this in the right fourm. I apparently have a tethered cord, I just learned of this about 10 days ago. I am experiencing incontinence, frequent urinary tract infections, and I apparently have an enlarged bladder which could pose a threat to my kidneys if not properly taken care of. I dont have any pain as of yet but these symtopms that I am having now have gotten worse and they have increased over time, so the pain could be next. But my main question is does surgery fix this problem. I had planned on going into the national guard/army but with incontience being a sympton right now there is no way I can join with that. Surgery, colostomy, stem cells will anything help?!?!?!?

[mttb14]

Hi Kyle,

in what way is your cord tethered, at what level. Is it flattened, bruised or what? I've never heared of a tether cord so I'm at a loss to be able to help.

I have looked up tethered cord on the internet and found this site, maybe it will help you.


http://www.cumc.colu...SpinalCord.html


Maria

Edited by mttb14, 09 August 2006 - 09:21 AM.

[Joed]

Hi Kyle...

I have a tethered cord too. Apparently, I've had it all my life...it sometimes goes along with the spina-bifida...but didn't learn of it until '87...I didn't have any symptoms at that time. I had the surgery (one I've since regretted, as it seems to have started me on a cycle of re-tethering) and then I re-tethered around the late 90's. This last surgery left me with deficits...paralyzed in the right leg and some bladder/bowel dysfunction. I've just recently found out that I'm re-tethered once again (three yrs. after my last de-tethering), and now I have the grueling decision to make as to whether to proceed with another surgery. I'm convinced that I was re-tethered a couple of months following my surgery...I could feel it.

From what I know, a de-tethering will almost certainly generate more scar tissue (which, as I'm sure you already know is what causes the tether in the first place), and it's practically a given that an operated tether will re-tether again. Usually you'll get a good 15 yrs. out of it before it tethers again, but sometimes (as in my case this last time), they can re-tether almost immediately.

When your physical losses include loss of bowel function, then that's when the surgeons feel it's necessary to go in. Their main goal is to stop the progression of loss, but often patients recover some lost functions after the surgery....they just don't want to promise that to their patients, understandably.

It's a tough decision to make, I know. I regret having my first tether surgery, but I didn't have any symptoms, and from what I've learned since then, they were probably negligent in even performing the surgery at all based on my lack of symptoms.

Right now, I have to decide whether to risk being further paralyzed in slow motion, or to have the surgery and risk another great loss in function. For me, it's a quality of life issue. I may not elect to have the surgery, I don't know. I'm going to wait until the MRI comes back and go from there. If I decide to go ahead with it, the surgery will be quite risky, as they now have to muddle through the muscle flap that was performed with my last surgery, as well as the additional scar tissue that has formed since.

I hope I've answered some of your questions...I'd be more than happy to talk with you about any concerns or additional questions you might have.

~Blessings