Case Study 146 - Tethered cord syndrome Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) refers to a condition that involves the pulling of the spinal cord at the base of the spinal canal. The spinal cord normally hangs loose in the canal, free to move up and down with growth, and with bending and stretching. A tethered cord, however, is held taut at the end or at some point in the spinal canal. In children, a tethered cord can force the spinal cord to stretch as they grow. In adults the spinal cord stretches in th