RE: recovering from tethered cord surgery

[Guest guest]

Pam,

I had my first untethering at 21. I was in the hospital for 5 days. Unlike a

lot of people, they had me up walking the next morning. When I was in bed, I

was rolled from one side to the other every 4 hrs. I would have been allowed

to go from side, back, side, but I couldn’t stand lying on my back – too

painful, so from side to side it was. The theory is that by changing

positions every few hours, you can prevent the cord from attaching to the

scar tissue that forms. But each surgeon has their own preferences for what

they think helps prevent a symptomatic retether from occurring. Personally,

I don’t think it matter what post-op procedures or in-op

materials/techniques they use – it is all just dependent on the person and

how they make scar tissue. My second untethering I was IP for about 1 ½ -2

weeks. My third surgery (for hydrosyringomyelia that developed as a

complication from the second surgery) I was IP for about 2-3 weeks.

Jenn

From: tetheredspinalcord

[mailto:tetheredspinalcord ] On Behalf Of ptfstarrynight

Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 2:01 PM

To: tetheredspinalcord

Subject: recovering from tethered cord surgery

Hello. Can anyone please share with me if they recovered in the hospital

face down (on tummy), or facing up (on back), from tethered cord surgery? I

have different NS say different things, so does it matter which way you are

laying flat, or does all that matter is that you are laying flat?

Also, whatever anyone can share regarding what to bring to the hospital,

recovery, what to expect, etc. for tethered cord surgery. Our three year old

is having this done next week.

Thanks,

~ Pam