Re: Decompression and Tethered cord

[Guest guest]

Hi Brande

I believe that my cord became tethered (at the cervical level) after my decompression, and I have since had 2 leminectomies to try to 'detether' it.

From what my new neurosurgeon has told me, though, this most probably happened as my cord was 'naturally' tethered at the base of the spine (the lumbar region). This was discovered as my neuro ordered a MRI of the complete spine (my new neurologist also says that the two are linked).

I had my cord detethered at the base, then 2 weeks later had it detethered at the top - it was a complete success! (My neuro did have me in a sitting up position for the cervical laminectomy, and I was standing up in ICU 1 day after the surgery to ensure the cord did not settle back where it had been).

Hope that my experiences are of some interest - I would see about getting a MRI of the complete spine, as the tethering at the base seemed to 'pull' the cord over, and make tethering more probable.....

Take care,

Bye for now,

Helen.

(in Brisbane, Australia)

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