The following subject, What Are The First Signs Of Cauda Equina?, will be the subject of the blog post, and it will cover all the relevant information. Continue reading to find out more information.
What does
cauda equina
mean?
The collection of nerves at the end of the spinal cord is known as the cauda equina, due to its resemblance to a horse’s tail. The spinal cord ends at the upper portion of the lumbar (lower back) spine.
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.
Cauda Equina Syndrome: 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.
Cauda Equina: Can you walk with cauda equina
If patients with cauda equina syndrome do not receive treatment quickly, adverse results can include paralysis,
impaired bladder
, and/or bowel control, difficulty walking , and/or other neurological and physical problems.
Cauda Equina Syndrome: 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: What happens if cauda equina is not treated
If patients with cauda equina syndrome do not seek immediate treatment to relieve the pressure, it can result in permanent paralysis,
impaired bladder
and/or bowel control, loss of sexual sensation, and other problems.
Cauda Equina Syndrome: What does it feel like to have cauda equina syndrome
Typical symptoms include loss of urgency or increased urgency sensation in the bladder and bowels without retention or incontinence This means you can’t feel that you have to poop or pee, or you feel the sensation stronger than before.
Cauda Equina: Can cauda equina be seen on MRI
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.
Cauda Equina: 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.
Cauda Equina Progress: 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.
Cauda Equina Syndrome: How do you fix cauda equina syndrome
Treatments. Cauda equina syndrome is a potential surgical emergency, and may require
timely decompression surgery
to reduce/remove the pressure on the nerve(s) Undergoing early surgery seems to offer the best chance for improvement of sensory and
muscle function
as well as bowel and bladder function.
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.
Cauda Equina: 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.
How long can cauda equina last?
The pattern of recovery was quite varied in our group of patients with the most common pattern being motor followed by bowel and bladder followed by sensory recovery. The duration of recovery (for patients with total and near total) ranged from 4 to 32 months with a mean of 13.5 months.
Cauda Equina: What are red flags for cauda equina
Red flag symptoms Bilateral sciatica (pain and altered sensation in the legs) Bladder dysfunction such as having to strain or an altered flow or altered awareness of the need to urinate. Tingling or numbness in the saddle area between the legs and around the anus. Alteration of sexual sensation.
Cauda Equina: How do you sleep with cauda equina
* Try cushioning between the knees when laying on your side to aide in the better alignment of the spine Similarly using cushions under the knees when laying on your back can relieve some of the stress on the lower spine.
Cauda Equina: What are the stages of cauda equina
Group 4: absence of saddle sensation and sexual function, and uncontrolled bowel function. Clinical stages were defined as preclinical (group 1), early (group 2), middle (group 3), and late (group 4).
Citations
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/cauda-equina-syndrome/
https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/guide/cauda-equina-syndrome-overview