National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

Which symptom is NOT associated with Tethered Cord Syndrome in adults?

1. Increased flaccidity

2. Scoliosis

3. Severe back pain

4. Urinary incontinence

The correct answer is: Increased flaccidity

Tethered Cord Syndrome is a neurological condition where the spinal cord is abnormally attached within the spinal column, which can lead to various symptoms due to the resulting tension on the spinal cord. In adults, the common symptoms typically include severe back pain, scoliosis, and urinary incontinence, among others. Increased flaccidity, or reduced muscle tone, is not a typical symptom associated with Tethered Cord Syndrome. Instead, patients often experience neurological deficits that may present as weakness or spasticity rather than flaccidity. The involvement of the spinal cord can lead to motor dysfunction that manifests as either hypertonicity or weakness; however, flaccidity is generally more linked to lower motor neuron lesions or specific conditions affecting muscle tone rather than the upper motor neuron involvement seen with tethered cord issues. Understanding these typical symptomatologies helps differentiate which symptoms are characteristic of Tethered Cord Syndrome and clarifies why increased flaccidity is not included among them.