Cauda Equina Syndrome | Presentation, Risk Factors, & Signs/Symptoms

In this video, we explore the mechanism, risk factors, and patient presentation (signs/symptoms) for cauda equina syndrome.
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[@ShaGemDropper]

This needs to be taught to more medical professionals. I was diagnosed with this in 2016.

[@colinakparanta9563]

Did you recover i went to er they said u have high anxiety and theres nothing wrong with me they wouldn’t give me an mri

[@ShaGemDropper]

@@colinakparanta9563 My spinal decompression surgery was in August 2016. Due to so much time passing from the onset of symptoms, I have nerve damage. I struggle with bladder infections and incontinence too. It’s horrible. My doctor kinda implied that they expect a person to come in yelling and screaming if that’s what’s going on with you.

[@colinakparanta9563]

@@ShaGemDropper wow i am sorry to hear that its hard finding someone to speak too, the er doctors told me there is nothing wrong with me even tho i have a disc herniation, im still constipated, i have numbness in my hands and feet at times, i wasnt screaming or yelling, she gave me a physical exam, by asking me to hold her hand, push my feet, and a rectum exam, how did you first know you had it?

[@jenniferhouse1939]

they saw compression on mine and told me there was no way I was having the pain and symptoms I was having....and left it at that.

[@rqdtv]

What was the initial cause of your symptoms?

[@lindaconnor7294]

Thank you! I have these exact symptoms and had them for years before my doctor did surgery. I have months of chart notes stating saddle anesthesia and only doing spinal injections over and over and over for years. Please people, find educated doctors to trust your health with.

[@mikeyrogers111]

Has yours gone after surgery?

[@lindaconnor7294]

@@mikeyrogers111 no. I never know if I'm hungry or if I have to go to the bathroom

[@dmurray145]

In April about 3 years ago, I had severe back pain. Went to the E.R 3 times with no resolution. Finally I switched hospitals and by then I could not stand on my tippy toes. The doctor at the other hospital noticed that in tests and ordered a MRI. They immediately rushed me to another hospital, Ohio State University Medical Center by ambulance into emergency surgery. By the 45 min ambulance ride, I lost bladder and bowel control. After my surgery, I was told I had a massive disc herniation and servere narrowing of the canal around my spine at the L5S1. I was then diagnosed with ces. Alot of nerve damage to saddle, left leg and left foot. I gained enough control back to empty My bladder without cathaders anymore but bowl movements are the biggest struggle. It only happened with meds. Thank you for this video which explains everything so vividly that's easy to understand.

[@ionnicolai4684]

Hi,how is your recovery?you have a sexual disfunction?

[@joshymcdaniel9233]

Jesus your comment is like I was typing it same exact thing happened to me’ went 3 times on 4th time finally did mri I had been asking for one since visit 2’ Did u go after them for compensation?

[@bigitaly4554]

I have a central disc protrusion at t8/9 that’s pinching my spinal cord, which is causing a few of these symptoms for me. Always get looked at if you suffer from any of the symptoms, and know it can come from a cervical or thoracic myelopathy problem as well.

[@mandersshmanders8402]

I believe this is what I have. Insurance wouldn’t approve MRI as it wasn’t considered “medically necessary”. Meanwhile I’m writhing in pain and severe burning, wearing diapers and can only stand for a few minutes because of the weakness and pain in my legs. Im only 44 and this all started in September. Now I’m scared I won’t ever get any relief.

[@isc2678]

Wish my GP knew this 2 years ago before she sent me home with only painkillers and good lucks when i had severe back pain and had lost control of my bladder... Im fine now though, contacted a specialist the next day who diagnozed cauda equina and had me rushed to surgery that same day...

[@trainerkarin1]

How is your recovery going?

[@Isaac5123]

You can claim for that

[@haseebahmed805]

5:30 - should be L5 nerve root and below affected. Nerve roots leave below the level of their vertebrae

[@kazi8026]

Twenty years ago one morning I woke up feeling numbness in my legs. After seeing my primary doctor I was sent to a Neurologist. I had MRI done and I was diagnosed with TB on lower spine. I was treated for TB and I was cured after 6-8 months of taking medications. At the same time, I started having issue with bowel movement, weak bladder, and developed sexual dysfunction. I went back to neurologist few more times over the years and had MRI done and they kept saying there is nothing wrong. Recently, I got so fed up with constipation so I decided to go see a G.I. doctor. After describing all the symptoms he told me right away I have CES and it is too late to do anything. I just find it shocking how the MRI failed to capture the issue.

[@user-mt2co8ip4u]

No test has 100% sensitivity or specificity

[@jenniferhouse1939]

my ortho saw compression but said there was no way I was having the pain and symptoms I'm having. I started getting saddle symptoms suddenly but I've had pain off and on for yearssss(me reg doc think it is A.S. and I'm a little concerned I may have EDS too me and the youngest show a great number of symptoms) now the extreme saddle symptoms have kind of subsided but like rn I am having pelvic floor symptoms starting yesterday, back was killing me cause I couldn't sleep. S.I.J. pain I have mild kyphosis and more extent of hyperlordosis straitening of my neck and my c1 is always crooked (the other guys shift out of place while I sleep all the time). idk what to do. I can feel my vertabrae shift out of place all the time. I'm fairly active and mostly healthy I've had bladder issues for years but recently it's like I can't finish urinating sometimes. Like I said it comes and goes

[@craigfowler8297]

I'm suffering from cauda equina for a very long time, and the hospital where I am living is in complete denial. This is since 2014, and now I can barely walk, and the muscles in both my legs are dying, not to mention my back is now numb. The veins behind my legs are on fire. I'm living in Croydon UK

[@rqdtv]

Have you seen a specialist/consultant?

[@neelamr30]

Have u go for surgery

[@ibeliveqqqq9015]

Thank you 👍🏻

[@CatalystUniversity]

You’re welcome 😊

[@annimack1591]

@@CatalystUniversity You make it seem like an easy fix. Try having 9 spine surgeries and ending up with peripheral neuropathy so severe that pain is constant 24/7! BTW you didn't mention adjacent segment syndrome which can certainly cause CES!

[@teresab7885]

This sounds like what I have what could we do 🐾🌻

[@lindaconnor7294]

Get an MRI ASAP

[@janiceclement9337]

I cant take this pain much longer. I feel like I'm going to fall.

[@jstarr2179]

Amazing and thorough video. It’s eerily accurate to my symptoms and I will be sure to tell the specialist to check for this. Doctors really are angels and I’m seriously inspired by the knowledge you share. 🫶