What is tethered cord?
Tethered cord refers to when the spinal cord is abnormally attached, or tethered to the bony part of the spine. This can as a result of a number of conditions which are well defined and understood. However, the cord can also be put under tension if the filum terminale (thread like structure at the bottom of the spine) is abnormally thick or fatty. Certain aspects of tethered cord are controversial. First, some researchers are looking at whether some children can have tethered cord which does not show up on MRI. This is referred to as occult tethered cord. These children have symptoms associated with tethered cord, such as leg pain and weakness and urinary issues, but the filum and spine look normal on MRI. Even more controversial is whether there is a connection between tethered cord and Chiari. Some researchers have proposed that a tight filum terminale which puts the spinal cord in traction can result in small herniations of the cerebellar tonsils. However, much more research is requ
