Heel Cord Release after Detethering

[kidsrustx]

My almost 13 year old son is going to have surgery to detether his cord and remove his lipomyelomeningocele. He already has an achilles tendon contractor which from what I've read will not be resolved by the detethering. Does anyone know if the Heel Cord Release surgery will be an option sometime in the future?

[Dodger67]

Just to be sure - when you say "heel cord" do you mean "achilles tendon"? Contracture release operations are quite common and can usually be done at any time.
Unless there is a really good reason not to - enquire about having it done at the same time as the detethering. It would save him extra hospital time (An issue about which I have very strong opinions/feelings.)

[kidsrustx]

Well, they want to see if the achilles tendon will "loosen up" after the detethering or during rehab. I hate to put too much on him at one time. We're just finding out about his condition.

[Dodger67]

I see, so its not certain that it really is a contracture, it may be due to spacticity caused by the tethering.
Best to wait & see then.