Tethered cord and its treatment | Boston Children’s Hospital

Learn more about the Tethered Spinal Cord Program: www.childrenshospital.org/centers-and-services/tethered-spinal-cord-program
Using live illustrations, pediatric neurosurgeon Mark Proctor, MD, explains tethered spinal cord syndrome and how Boston Children's Hospital treats the condition.
In tethered cord syndrome, the end of spinal cord may be attached to the bones or soft tissues of the spine, usually at the base of the spine. If your child has an unusual dimple in the lower back, especially if it has a hairy patch or a redness/fullness, it might be a sign of a tethered cord.
As Dr. Proctor explains in our Pediatric Playbook series, tethered cord can cause nerve damage resulting in back or leg pain, weakness or numbness in the legs, difficulty standing and walking and incontinence. However, the condition is very treatable with surgery to “untether” the cord, and minimally invasive methods are used whenever possible.
For more information, or if you suspect your child has a tethered cord, contact the Tethered Spinal Cord Program at 617-355-6008 (international: [phone]).