What is Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is a Latin term which means "split spine" and describes birth defects caused by an incomplete closure of one or more vertebral arches of the spine, resulting in malfor...
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tethered cord... again.
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I had an MRI a few months ago, and found out that my spinal cord is tethered yet again. I've already had it operated on twice, once when I was very young, and then again 6 years ago, when I was 15.
The MRI showed tethering at the L3 level, which I understand is very low. I'm not quite sure what to do; do I deal with it, or do I have surgery again? My mom was telling me that because I'm done growing, the doctors may opt out of surgery. The thought of having surgery again does scare me, especially since I leaked spinal fluid out of the incision for weeks last time I had the surgery, but on the other hand, I don't want to deal with the coordination issues and leg weakness that I've been having for a few years. At this point, I'm leaning toward pushing for the surgery, despite the risk. Does anyone else have any suggestions, or thoughts, or even just words of comfort? Posted on 11/03/09, 01:11 pm |
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Wow Danielle. I had TC surgery Feb 2008...for the first time. I am just about to turn 33 here (next week). And am STILL having trouble with it almost 20 months later. I fear too that it may be re-tethering but in a different spot. They said they may NOT do the surgery because you're stopped growing? Interesting. Anyway, the only words I can offer are do what YOU think is best for YOU. After all you are an adult and it's your body and your decision. I'm always here if you need a friend! 
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I had a tethered cord surgery when I was 8 because the pain was so bad and numbness that I couldn't walk so I had to have it. I am 38 now and I do have tethered cord again BUT it has only really given me trouble once (hense me finding out that I had tethered cord again) There was a week that my back was so sore and was spasming and I couldn't walk, it was better within a week and I haven't had trouble since that time (2 yrs ago). I went to see a neurosurgeon and he told me that as an adult he wouldn't do surgery unless the weakness in my legs changed drastically or my bowl/bladder issues became worse. He explained that there would be a greater risk of coming out of surgery with less mobility than I have now. So in my opinion if a surgeon doesn't want to do the surgery right now I would wait, if you can. My surgeon also told me that they will not do surgery for pain reasons only there has to be loss/decrease in mobility and decrease in function of bladder/bowl. Tough decision-hold off if you can.
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Hi Danielle, i am Nineteen and i have had five surgeries since i was born, closure at birth, at age 7, age 9, age 15, and again at age 18 (last year), my last surgery they took the stitches out to soon and it reopened and leaked spinal fluid, and had very bad spinal head aches. They closed it but maybe me stay in the hospital for one week without getting up. When i do tether its painful, and i could not imagine it not getting operated on. If you do have to surgery, i wish you good luck and my thoughts and prayers go out to you.
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