Background: Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) is a progressive clinical condition including a series of neurological dysfunctions and deformities attributable to abnormally increased tension on the spinal cord, which is lacking effective treatment to relieve the symptoms and prevent progression. Dr. Shi recently proposed a new technique as nerve root axial decompression surgery, which is also called capsule surgery, to treat patients with TCS. Yet, the effectiveness and safety should be further studied. Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness and safety of clinical outcomes between capsule surgery and conservative treatment in patients with TCS. A study hypothesis is that outcomes will be improved after capsule surgery. Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial with a two-factor (2x7) research design. The TCS patients will be randomly assigned in one of the two treatment groups: capsule surgery and conservative treatment. Seven outcome measures will be collected pre-operative for baseline, and then at1, 12, 24, 48, and 96 weeks post-operative follow-up visits, including: International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire Short Version (ICI-Q-SF), Rintala Score, a new developed Chinese version of questionnaire, Oswestry disability index (ODI), SF-12, foot function index (FFI) and Pirani score. Urodynamic testing, bladder ultrasonography, electromyogram, muscle strength and sensation of lower limbs will be obtained before and post treatment, to determine the patient's function of lower limbs. The investigator performing the outcome measures will be blinded to group assignment, and therefore will not participate in treatment. After randomization, the conservative group will be followed up in the outpatient clinic. The capsule surgery group will receive the nerve root axial decompression surgery (capsule surgery). Data Analysis: Two 2x7 MANOVAs with repeated measures will be used to examine the differences in the seven measures between groups and at the five different time frames with the α level set at 0.05. Non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U tests) will be used to compare the differences in the urodynamics and muscle strength data over time and between groups.
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Changes of patient-reported scores assessing bladder function
Timeframe: At 1 week pre- and 1, 12, 24, 48, and 96 weeks post-operative follow-up visits.