Abstract

Background: The possibility of functional tethered cord syndrome (TCS) should be considered when adolescent patients present with unexplained lumbar, buttock, and leg symptoms. Symptoms progress if untreated. Success depends on early diagnosis, the complete untethering of the spinal cord, and rehabilitation. A rare case of adult TCS is reported.
Case Report: A 42-year-old female patient with lower back and leg pain, severe flexor reflex responses, and a walking disorder was evaluated. Gabapentin and tizanidine were given to treat the neuropathic pain and flexor reflex responses. An exercise program was applied to improve the walking disorder. Finally, the patient’s complaints of pain considerably decreased, flexor reflex responses were reduced, and a more comfortable walking motion was observed.
Conclusions: A rehabilitative approach is very important and a multidisciplinary follow-up and treatment procedure is required in the clinical healing process of all patients presenting with a tethered cord condition, whether surgical intervention is carried out or not.

Keywords: Amines - therapeutic use, Analgesics - therapeutic use, Clonidine - therapeutic use, Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids - therapeutic use, Exercise Therapy, Neural Tube Defects - rehabilitation, Postoperative Period, gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - therapeutic use