Cauda Equina Syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a rare medical health condition that is characterized by inflammation, compression, damage, and subsequent malfunctioning or dysfunction of nerves located at the end of the spine. These root nerves are also known as the cauda equina. Cauda equina syndrome is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. If left […] Read More
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Cauda Equina Syndrome
- Pains during sexual intercourse.
- Numbed genital parts.
- The inability of the penis to rise.
- Ulcerative disorders.
- Inability to perform locomotive movements.
- Slowed fluid movement.
- Stiffened muscles around the lower back.
- Increased reflex activities within the lower back.
- Hypertonia (concentration of muscle tone).
- Fragile or brittle spinal bones.
- Possibility of spinal bone fractures.
- Growth of bones in soft tissues around the lower spine.
- Blood clot formation in the spinal region.
- Extreme sensitivity when touched on the lower back.
- Excruciating, burning, and shooting back pains.
- Inability to sense temperatures.
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- Elder adults.
- Athletes.
- Weightlifters.
- Bodybuilders.
- Racial composition.
- Age.
- Gender.
- Obesity or overweight.
- Stress.
- Your medical history.
- Your daily activities.
- Your methods of exercising.
- If you get stressed out easily.
- Your noticed symptoms.
- Your current state of health.
- Physical Examination Of Your Lower Back.
- Scanning Of Your Bladder And Urinary Tract With X-ray.
- Checking Your Sensitivity To Catheter.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Test.
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan.
- Neurosurgery.
- Orthopedics.
- Do not eat or drink the night before.
- Wear loose clothing.
- Do not wear jewelry.
- Bring a partner to stay with you for the day.
- Notify all your friends and close relations about the surgery.
- You may need to change into a hospital gown.
- Make you lie with your face down on the surgery table.
- Sedate you to sleep by injecting anesthesia into your bloodstream.
- Make an incision on your lower back, over the affected spinal nerves.
- Relocate the muscles away from your spine, as much as needed, to expose the spine.
- Use small instruments (such as a scalpel) to remove the interfering lamina (a bone that is part of the outer wall of the spine), because of its pressure on the nerves.
- Remove the herniated discs and additional bones, to create space in the passageway where the nerves leave the spinal canal.
- Stitch the wounds and cover up your lower back.
- You will stay for two or more days in the hospital.
- You will feel pains at the surgery site.
- You may need walking aids for a whole week.
- Limit your normal daily routine of activities, to avoid stressing the incision site.
- Avoid soaking the incision site in water or any liquid, until your doctor permits.
- Your stitches will be removed when the wound is fully healed (about 2 weeks or a month after).
- Avoid sitting in the same spot for over 20 minutes.
- Painful feeling at the incision site.
- Swelling or redness at the incision site.
- Inability to walk on your own (about 2 weeks).
- For minor surgery, the ability to:
- Carry out light working activities.
- Walk on your own, within 2 weeks.
- Partially recover within a month or half.Â
- For major surgery, the ability to:
- Partially recover after 2 months.
- Walk on your own, after 2 weeks.
- Do light chores after half a month.
- Carry on your daily activities within 2 months.
- Stay away from lifting or bending, for about 3 months.
- Start light activities only when he says so.
Symptoms
The early symptoms of cauda equina syndrome often begin with weakness, numbness, and pains around the spinal region. Peculiar signs and symptoms of cauda equina syndrome include:
- Inability to urinate.
- Numbness or lost sense of feeling on the genital area.
- Sciatica (pains in the back or legs).
- Bladder dysfunction.
- Bowel malfunctioning.
- Numbness and radiating pains in the buttocks.
- Loss of balance.
- Weakness of muscles around your waist.
Causes
The primary cause of cauda equina syndrome is disc herniation (the protruding of a disk nucleus into the spinal cord), but there are other causes. The causes of cauda equina syndrome are complex. They pose serious complications if not diagnosed and treated early. They include:
- Infections in the spine.
- Inflammation of the spine.
- Wounds in the lower back and waist.
- Birth defects.
- Injuries and deformities of the spine.
- Spinal surgery side effects.
- Narrowing of the spine.
- Tumors or cancerous growth in the spine.
FAQ
Is cauda equina syndrome a permanent disability?
As uncommon as it is, cauda equina syndrome is not a permanent disability. Hence, you cannot receive any disability benefits for it, unlike scoliosis and paralysis. The syndrome can subside 6 months after a laminectomy procedure is carried out.
Can cauda equina syndrome be cured without surgery?
No, cauda equina syndrome requires surgery to subside or be cured. Medications cannot play a part in decompressing the spinal canal in which the nerves are affected in the lower back. Laminectomy is the best surgery that can aid in relieving the syndrome.Â
What are the first signs of cauda equina syndrome?
The first signs you will notice before diagnosing cauda equina syndrome are pains in the lower back, thighs, and butt, as well as numb genitals.
What happens if cauda equina syndrome is left untreated?
If left untreated, cauda equina syndrome can lead to genital abnormalities such as erectile dysfunction and numb groins, as well as paralysis.
How common is cauda equina syndrome?
Cauda equina syndrome is not a common medical condition. It occurs in 1 out of every 500,000 people every year. It is a rare and uncommon condition that could lead to paralysis, severe back pains, and erectile dysfunction if left untreated. Cauda equina syndrome has an 80% survival rate.