Pediatric neurosurgery · scheduled consultation
Tethered Cord & Spina Bifida
Consultation for spinal markers, gait or leg changes, bladder or bowel concerns, back pain, tethering, or spina bifida history.
When consultation may help
Bring the concern into focus.
A scheduled visit brings symptoms, imaging, prior care, and family priorities into one organized conversation.
Leg weakness, tripping, foot change, or gait difficulty
↗New bladder or bowel changes
↗Known spina bifida, prior repair, or tethered-cord imaging
↗Help us see the whole story
What to bring when it is available.
Do not delay urgent care to gather records. For a scheduled visit, these materials can make the conversation more useful.
Spine MRI or ultrasound images and reports
Prior repair or operative records
Urology, therapy, orthotics, and rehabilitation notes
A timeline of gait, pain, strength, skin, bladder, or bowel changes
How this concern is approached.
Skin markers, neurologic function, growth, imaging, bladder and bowel history, prior operations, and daily function are considered together. The plan focuses on what has changed, what should be monitored, and whether another specialist or intervention belongs in the next step.
Questions families ask
A little more clarity.
What does tethered cord mean?
A tethered spinal cord is attached to surrounding tissue in a way that can place tension on it. It may occur with spina bifida or after earlier spinal surgery. Evaluation focuses on symptoms and function as well as the appearance of the scan.
Which changes are useful to report?
Tell the team about new difficulty walking, leg pain or weakness, changes in foot shape, and changes in bladder or bowel function. Share the timing of those changes and relevant urology, orthopedic and therapy records.
Is another operation always needed?
No single history item or scan answers that question for every child. Ask what the proposed treatment aims to protect or improve, what monitoring would involve, and how the different specialists will coordinate care.
How the visit moves
Careful. Clear. Together.
Listen
Review symptoms, timing, prior care, daily impact, and the family’s goals.
Review
Place MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, reports, and records in context.
Explain
Translate the finding and reasonable options into plain language.
Plan
Define monitoring, testing, referral, follow-up, or surgery when appropriate.
The people behind the promise
Clinical focus. Thoughtful systems.
Two complementary roles support a clear, reliable experience for children and families.
Dr. Stacey E. Podkovik
Dr. Podkovik leads the neurosurgical evaluation with a pediatric focus, connecting the child’s story, symptoms, imaging, prior care, and family priorities into a clear next-step plan.
Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, MBA
Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, MBA, supports the practice through physician-led management, care coordination, and reliable systems. Dr. Stacey Podkovik leads neurosurgical evaluation and treatment.
When symptoms should not wait.
Rapidly worsening weakness, sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, severe trauma, fever with severe back pain, or an abrupt neurologic change requires emergency care.
Sources behind this overview
Family education from established health organizations.
These links support the general overview and cannot replace an individualized pediatric evaluation.
Continue exploring
Every pathway, connected.
01Head Shape & Cranial ConditionsExplore02Hydrocephalus & ShuntsExplore03Chiari & SyrinxExplore04Tethered Cord & Spina BifidaYou are here05Brain & Spine TumorsExplore06Head Injuries & ConcussionExplore07Spasticity CareExplore08Second OpinionsExplore09Arachnoid CystsExplore
This page provides general educational information and does not replace a medical evaluation. Calling the office or using this site does not establish a physician-patient relationship. Iris is a scripted navigation helper and does not diagnose, triage, or provide medical advice.