Finally hope after 9 surgeries for tethered cord syndrome

Devin Morris was born with spina bifida, a disease of the spine that can cause debilitating symptoms in many individuals. 

Morris was one of them.

But today, after nine surgeries throughout his childhood and teen years, the 24-year-old has found relief, thanks to a unique expertise at the University of Michigan Health Adult Tethered Cord Syndrome Clinic, the only dedicated adult clinic in Michigan.

Here, a novel surgical treatment known as spinal shortening osteotomy gave him hope for a brighter future.

Devin's story

Devin’s health issues related to spina bifida surfaced early in life. His mother and primary caregiver, Ena, began to notice signs that her child wasn’t developing normally.

“I noticed there was an issue when Devin was about two years old,” Ena recalled.

“He was having trouble walking, we couldn't potty train him, and he seemed to always be in pain. It was very difficult to know my baby was in pain.”

An appointment with a neurologist led to an MRI and a diagnosis of tethered cord syndrome, a condition in which the spinal cord is abnormally attached to the surrounding tissue in the lower portion of the spine.

The condition is common in those born with spina bifida.

The first of nine surgeries to release the tendons attached to his spinal cord was performed at another children’s hospital when Devin was two years old.

“The surgeries would help for a while, but Devin always ended up having more pain,” said Ena.

“After nine surgeries, when Devin was 17, doctors told us he couldn't have any more. It would be too dangerous for him.”

But his symptoms — including extreme pain, exhaustion, difficulty walking and loss of bowel and bladder control — were worsening.

Expertise and innovation

Ena’s research led them to U-M Health, where a pain management physician referred them to the Adult Tethered Cord Syndrome Clinic and Noojan Kazemi, MBBS, a renowned expert in spine-related conditions and innovative procedures such as spinal shortening osteotomy.

The clinic is the only one of its kind in Michigan.

There hasn't been a novel treatment for these patients with a severe expression of tethered cord, specifically from spina bifida, until recently.”

-Noojan Kazemi, MBBS

A spinal shortening osteotomy is a surgical procedure in which the spine of adult patients with TCS is shortened to relieve tension on the spinal cord and improve symptoms.

The procedure involves removing a segment of the vertebrae to decrease spinal cord pressure. The novel treatment eliminates the need to manipulate the spinal cord and reduces the risk of new scar tissue forming.

“The shortening is typically reserved for patients who have reached maturity and whose growth has been completed,” said Kazemi, one of only a few neurosurgeons in the U.S. who offer spinal shortening osteotomy.

“The procedure is relatively recent and is a novel way of caring for these patients. Instead of detethering, we remove part of the vertebrae and use special spinal instrumentation to connect the existing vertebrae. This takes the tension off the spinal cord.”

A mother’s hope

“Dr. Kazemi basically said, ‘This is the best choice for Devin.’ It gave us hope that maybe, just maybe, he would be pain-free,” recalled Ena.

Kazemi explained, “Devin had the same detethering procedure over and over again. He would improve for a while, but then would scar up again, and so his symptoms would return. There hasn't been a novel treatment for these patients with a severe expression of tethered cord, specifically from spina bifida, until recently.”

Devin’s surgery was successfully performed February 11, 2025, and has improved his function drastically, says Kazemi.

Since that day, Devin is happy to be living a healthier life.

“I have improved tremendously. I’m essentially pain-free. I can do things like ride my bike longer distances.”

Prior to the surgery, “Devin could only ride his bike, maybe a block, a block and a half. And just recently, we clocked him walking a mile and a half. No more stopping to rest. He’s back at his work program, and able to stand for longer periods of time.”

“I started bowling again,” adds Devin, who says his quality of life has improved. “I wish they would have done this kind of surgery a long time ago. It has helped me with my physical health," said Ena.

With nine months behind them since the surgery, the mother and son are hopeful.

“With the other surgeries, by now he would have been starting to show more signs of pain, so we’re feeling this one was more successful,” said Ena.

A better quality of life

“Devin went from taking four different pain medicines a day and laying in his bed most of the day. Now, he only takes one pain medicine, and he's up a good portion of the day. To see your 25-year-old have a quality of life that he hasn't had in a long time makes a mom extremely happy.”

Devin’s latest review was positive, says Ena.

“We still have to follow up with urology because he does have a little bit of trouble with his bladder and bowels. That's typical for a spina bifida patient. It may improve over time.”

After physical therapy to gain his strength, Devin started back to school and to his work program in July.

“Everything at U-M was pretty amazing,” he said. "We automatically went to U-M for the expertise there.”