###Human: Can my back pain be due to the tethered spinal cord? ###Assistant: Hello. I have gone through your reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). The tethered cord is a result of fibrosis and inflammation. Your symptoms of back pain and weakened bowel and bladder movements could be explained with the tethered cord.  The changes in heart rate could be related to a cardiac disorder or inflammation, but they are not related to the spinal cord damage in this region. Painkillers and steroids can lead to high blood pressure and changes in the heart rate. The pain can also activate the sympathetic nervous system leading to such changes in the heart rhythm. Coming to this point, I would recommend continuing physiotherapy. An antidepressant or Pregabalin would help as a long-term therapy for the pain. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her and with their consent take the medicines. Regards. For more information consult a neurologist online -->