Case study 150 | Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) explained by Neurosurgeon Dr. Betsy Grunch

[@sunnyday3327]

Interesting! You share more details than most doctors. Less common medical conditions need to be talked about more so people can realize what new symptoms mean.

[@anandtiwari52]

Excellent narration, thanks.

[@daphne10120]

I was literally thinking of asking you to talk about cauda equina yesterday!

[@user-ny7cs2dx1g]

I am a 56 year old male and had my 10th back surgery in April 2024. In 2018 I had emergency surgery because of Cauda Equina Syndrome. I was losing my bowels. I called the surgeon and they said get to the Emergency Room ASAP. I ended up in surgery within 3 hours and had a spinal fusion done. In September 2023 I underwent a two part spinal fusion. I already was fused from L5 to L2. This time they were fusing L5 to S1, and L2 to T10. I ended up getting an infection and had to have surgery to clean it out. Then in April 2024 I underwent another fusion from T10 to T8. I ended up with another infection that has caused severe Reactive Arthritis which is causing severe muscle and joint pain. I am in the worst pain of my life and am having an MRI in about 3 hours. I’ve been having problems urinating and am numb in my groin area. This is never going to end. I’m having severe depression because the pain is so intense. Hopefully I don’t have to go under the knife again. I can’t take it anymore.

[@halfwen4575]

I wish you the best of luck, & idk if you've tried CBD/cannabis products, but they help my pain enough to let me get comfy enough to sleep some (granted, I have CRPS & take other pain meds - the cannabis makes a difference)

[@user-ny7cs2dx1g]

@ Thank you very much! I’m not allowed by my Pain Management Physician to take any Medical Marijuana or CBD. I have to take a drug test every other month. Really it’s whenever they want to. I get some relief at times during the day, but by the end of the day it’s hard to get comfortable at all. I had most all of my surgeries done back in Iowa and Illinois, but my wife came up with this wonderful idea to move to Orlando in July of 2021. Not! I don’t like it here, but she loves it. The surgeries that I’ve had here in Florida have left me in more pain than before. Both of my fusion surgeries that I’ve had here have resulted in spinal infections. I’m still taking antibiotics and have since September 2023 from my first fusion surgery in Orlando.

[@user-ny7cs2dx1g]

My last option is for my Pain Management Physician to implant the Intrathecal Morphine Pump. Which injects pain medication directly into my spine. After my MRI today, I’m asking to have the trial morphine test done, if my MRI doesn’t show a need for another spine surgery. EVERYONE PLEASE TRY TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR BACK AS MUCH AS YOU CAN. AND GET MORE THAN ONE OPINION IF SURGERY IS RECOMMENDED.

[@KarolM1964]

​@user-ny7cs2dx1g oh my goodness..and I thought my back problems were bad. I'm about to have my 4th surgery in 4 years. Back pain is no joke and is so debilitating physically and mentally. I hope the pump works for you. Best of luck🙏💙

[@Ttraye66]

Is the same as tethered cord, or no? Occult tethered cord? I have been diagnosed with this. I had a neurogenic bladder test.

[@SuperNewMom1]

Well I've had herniation after car accident found in L4/L5 and L5/S1.. I have this pain from time to time and usually only a Chiropractor takes me seriously enough and tells me its my SI joints (i'm done with shots)... i've given up on OTC options too... after a myomectomy I kept telling them that I had no sensation that I needed to go to pee! Again that got brushed off. It took weeks before that sensation came back. Now if I stand or walk for too long, my lower back is on fire for weeks. I give up!

[@great2meetyou]

This sound just like me. But I stayed home because doctors have traumatized me. My entire low back and groin goes numb, pain down both leg and in low back, loss of bowel and bladder, even vomiting. I’m scared. What should I do? Any feedback is appreciated. Have diagnosis of severe spinal myelopathy in cervical spine but surgery that was deemed urgent 15months ago. I’m 36 female. Thank you! God bless

[@lauraeaton5414]

I have never had this syndrome but I am one women who was ignored by my drs. I was diagnosed with endometriosis at age 20 and it started at my first cycle. I am a DES daughter so I tend to have difference in my pelvic area. I finally had a hysterectomy at age 32. I was told my pain was due to mental illness. I ended up with a very unusual case I. That the endometriosis also included the muscle layers in my uterus. Ladies if your dr dismisses what you tell them no matter what part advocate for your self.

[@lucindalevair9737]

I have all symptoms of Claudia equinea but nothing showed up on ct and mri I have disk hernia but that it. It Vern like this since march no impish am 43 years old