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.
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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
Locations
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Weill Cornell Medicine
RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10065, United States
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