long term affects of tethered cord

[snowwoman03]

Hi,

I am sorry for all the questions, but this has been so hard for me to figure out.

If I choose not to have the unterthering surgery what can the long term affects be? With the tethering being in the upper neck could it affect the lower part of the spine? Can it have an affect on bowel and bladder function and can it affct my legs?

Thankyou again for all your help.

Leenie

[SCI-Nurse]

A tethered cord can cause continued loss of neurologic function and worsen any syrinx. Since the nerves to the legs, bowel, bladder, etc. all pass through the neck area of the cord, they can be effected by tethering or a syrinx in this area.

(KLD)

[Beate]

Hei
I was detethered 3 years ago, it lasted for a year. Now im looking for someone who can give me some answers. When i was going to have the surgery they told me that there where no choise, because i got worse so quick. Now im getting worse again, have trouble with my bladder, and no one can tell me what to do.
Before my operation, my bladderfunction got worse, and after the surgery it continued getting worse. I have talked with some people with this diagnosis, we are all different.
Therefore it is not easy to tell other people what to do... http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif