What is a Tethered Cord?
The normal spinal cord begins at the junction of the base of the skull and the uppermost portion of the spine called the cervical spine. The spinal cord extends through the center of the spinal column from the neck to just below the junction of the thoracic-lumbar (mid-back) area. At this point, a normal spinal cord is able to move freely within the spinal column when a child bends or moves. Tethered cords are a group of congenital developmental malformations in which the spinal cord is fixed to surrounding tissues within the spinal column and cannot move freely at the lower end. As a child grows, his or her spinal column grows, but the spinal cord may not grow at the same rate. This fixation of the spinal cord as the spine lengthens causes tension on the spinal cord and nerves, producing various symptoms. What are the causes of tethered cord? Spina bifida—the most common cause Lipoma—a fat mass under the skin connected to the spinal cord Split cord malformation—a double spinal cord or
