Cauda Equina Syndrome Red flags symptoms you must know

Cauda equina syndrome is the compression of a collection of nerve roots called the cauda equina. Nerves send and receive electrical signals all across your body. The collection of nerve roots, shaped like a horse’s tail, is located at the bottom of your spinal cord.

Symptoms

Cauda Equina Syndrome can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

severe low back pain
bladder dysfunction such as urinary retention or incontinence (loss of control)
bowel incontinence (loss of control)
muscle weakness or sensory loss in both legs
loss of motor function in legs (difficulty walking)
loss or reduction of reflexes
saddle anesthesia (inability to feel anything in the body areas that would sit on a saddle)

Diagnosis

Cauda equina syndrome is difficult to diagnose. It is rare, and its early symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other conditions. In addition, symptoms associated with cauda equina syndrome may vary in intensity and evolve slowly over time.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): the best method of imaging the spinal cord, nerve roots, intervertebral discs, and ligaments. Since these scans can detect damage or disease of soft tissue, MRIs are valuable in diagnosing the cause of cauda equina syndrome.


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