Spinal cord snip: could a simple surgery ease hidden tethered cord symptoms?
NCT ID NCT05163899
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This small pilot study tests whether cutting a fibrous strand at the end of the spinal cord (filum terminale) can relieve symptoms of occult tethered cord syndrome better than medical management alone. Twenty people aged 2 to 80 who have not improved with standard care will be randomly assigned to surgery or continued medical treatment. The study measures changes in a combined symptom score covering nerve, bladder, bowel, and orthopedic issues.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
surgical release of the filum terminale (a fibrous strand at the end of the spinal cord)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a surgical treatment option for people with occult tethered cord syndrome who haven't improved with medical management.
What could go wrong
This is a very small pilot study with only 20 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Surgery on the spine carries risks like infection, nerve damage, or no symptom improvement.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Weill Cornell Medicine
RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10065, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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