Tethered Spinal Cord Program

CHB Stock Children’s Hospital Boston is a world leader in caring for children with diseases and disorders of the brain, spine and central nervous system. Our Department of Neurosurgery offers dedicated expertise in treating tethered spinal cord syndrome, or “tethered cord,” a condition in which the child’s spinal cord is attached to the tissues of the spine, usually at the base of the spine. A tethered cord cannot move freely within the spinal canal, leading to nerve damage and limitations of motion and mobility.

If your child is living with tethered cord, he or she may be facing a number of problems—such as back pain, weakness or numbness in the legs, difficulty standing and walking and incontinence. These symptoms can seriously impact the child’s home, school and social life, and can tax the emotional health of the family, as well.

Here at Children’s, your child is never merely a patient. Our internationally recognized neurosurgeons, imaging specialists, neuroscience nurses and other caregivers are committed to using our extensive experience to help your child lead a rich and fulfilling life. We treat your child as an individual, and we deliver care that supports the particular needs and circumstances of your entire family.

Did you know? Children's is the birthplace of modern pediatric neurosurgery

In 1929, Children's physicians Harvey Cushing, MD, and Franc Ingraham, MD, established the Department of Neurosurgery at the hospital—marking the introduction of pediatric neurosurgery as a formally recognized field. Drs. Cushing and Ingraham, along with Donald Matson, MD, went on to write some of the most widely used and respected textbooks on pediatric neurosurgery (still considered required reading for aspiring neurosurgeons.)