Surgical treatment of posttraumatic tethered, myelomalacic and cystic spinal cords

Progressive neurologic loss from posttraumatic spinal cord tethering can occur within months, to more than thirty years subsequent to a spinal cord injury. This article discusses our understanding of the pathophysiology leading to progressive cord injury, as well as surgical treatment strategies. The relationship of progressive myelomalacia and cystic necrosis of the spinal cord is discussed as well.