What is cauda equina?

The cauda equina is the continuation of these nerve roots in the lumbar and sacral region. These nerves send and receive messages to and from the lower limbs and pelvic organs. Cauda equina syndrome (CES) occurs when there is dysfunction of multiple lumbar and sacral nerve roots of the cauda equina.

What are the first signs of cauda equina?

What happens if you have cauda equina?

Cauda equina syndrome is a rare and severe type of spinal stenosis where all of the nerves in the lower back suddenly become severely compressed. Symptoms include: sciatica on both sides. weakness or numbness in both legs that is severe or getting worse.

What is the treatment for cauda equina syndrome?

Cauda equina syndrome is best treated with decompression by a lumbar laminectomy, but a lumbar microdiscectomy may be used given a patient's unique situation. The patient will likely be kept in the hospital for a few days following the surgery to monitor recovery of motor and sensory function.

What is the most common cause of cauda equina syndrome?

Causes of Cauda Equina Syndrome

A severe ruptured disk in the lumbar area (the most common cause) Narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis) A spinal lesion or malignant tumor. A spinal infection, inflammation, hemorrhage, or fracture.

Cauda Equina Syndrome | Signs

How does cauda equina start?

Cauda equina syndrome can present in 2 ways: acute onset, where the symptoms and signs occur rapidly, and insidious onset, where the condition begins as lower back pain and slowly progresses to bowel and urinary incontinence. Cauda equina syndrome is most commonly caused by compression from a lumbar herniated disc.

Can you fully recover from cauda equina syndrome?

Although cauda equina syndrome is not a fatal condition, it can cause severe neurological damage. If the condition is not treated quickly enough, this damage may be irreversible, meaning a patient will not make a full recovery.

Is walking good for cauda equina syndrome?

Pelvic floor exercises can assist with regaining bladder control and gentle aerobic exercise such as walking can help restore strength in the lower back and legs.

Does cauda equina syndrome ever go away?

Cauda equina compression

If the compression continues for too long, the nerves will sustain significant damage and will be permanently harmed meaning that sadly in this situation the cauda equina syndrome does not go away. The nerves are very delicate so it will not take long for extensive injury to occur.

Is cauda equina an emergency?

Cauda Equina Syndrome is a medical emergency because delayed decompression surgery can result in lifelong disability.

How painful is cauda equina syndrome?

Onset of Cauda Equina Syndrome

Acute onset is marked by a rapid development of symptoms that often includes severe low back pain and significant loss of bladder and bowel function. In an acute onset, sensory and motor deficits in the lower body typically develop within 24 hours.

How quickly does cauda equina progress?

Unlike most back problems that are longstanding or chronic, cauda equina is an acute event, like a stroke or heart attack. It most often develops rapidly, within as few as 6 to 10 hours.

Can cauda equina be treated without surgery?

Therefore cauda equina syndrome must be treated with surgical decompression. If you have cauda equina syndrome, you will need an operation. Cauda equina syndrome cannot be resolved without surgery.

Can sciatica turn into cauda equina?

While rare, sciatica caused due to severe disc herniation(s) in the lower spine may progress into cauda equina syndrome.

How do doctors test for cauda equina?

MRI scan for cauda equina syndrome

The only way to verify a diagnosis is to perform an MRI scan. MRI scans are deemed to be the gold standard when diagnosing spinal conditions. Other imaging tests are not as effective.

What nerves cause cauda equina?

The cauda equina is the continuation of these nerve roots in the lumbar and sacral region. These nerves send and receive messages to and from the lower limbs and pelvic organs. Cauda equina syndrome (CES) occurs when there is dysfunction of multiple lumbar and sacral nerve roots of the cauda equina.

Why is cauda equina so rare?

Unlike other well-known back conditions such as sciatica and scoliosis, Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) is relatively unheard of. This is in part because it is an uncommon condition, and also because – providing it is diagnosed and treated quickly – there is often a positive outcome for the patient.

What activities should be avoided with spinal stenosis?

Will I end up in a wheelchair with spinal stenosis?

Disability: In severe cases of spinal stenosis, a patient can end up permanently disabled. This may be through paralysis, or weakness so severe that it is impossible to stand and move as normal. It is not unreasonable to expect severe stenosis to lead to a person being bound to a wheelchair.

What does it feel like to have cauda equina syndrome?

Typical symptoms of cauda equina syndrome include: Neurological symptoms in the lower body. Weakness, tingling, or numbness in the legs, and/or feet on one or both sides of the body is a common symptom. Lower body weakness or numbness may make it difficult to walk or stand.

How common is cauda equina?

Cauda equina syndrome is a relatively rare condition, comprising around 2–6% of lumbar disc operations [16, 17, 31], with an incidence in the population thought to be between 1 in 33,000 to 1 in 100,000 [1].

Can you live with cauda equina syndrome?

Cauda equina syndrome is not life-threatening. But it can permanently damage your body, affecting your health and quality of life. Symptoms may include leaking pee or poop and problems having sex.

What does saddle numbness feel like?

Numbness in or around the back passage and / or genitals; Inability to feel the toilet paper when wiping; Tingling sensation in the saddle area; Weakness in the saddle area.

At what level does the spinal cord become the cauda equina?

[1] The cauda equina is a group of nerves and nerve roots stemming from the distal end of the spinal cord, typically levels L1-L5 and contains axons of nerves that give both motor and sensory innervation to the legs, bladder, anus, and perineum.

Can MRI detect cauda equina?

Due to its ability to depict the soft tissues, MRI generally has been the favored imaging study for assisting the physician in the diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome. Urgent MRI is recommended for all patients who have new-onset urinary symptoms with associated back pain or sciatica.