Understanding Sciatica and Cauda Equina Syndrome with Tom Jesson

Do you feel apprehensive when you hear the terms Radiculopathy and Radicular pain? Do you sometimes wonder if someone has referred pain rather than Sciatica? Do you get flustered by just the thought of Cauda Equina Syndrome? If the answer is yes to any of these then you're not alone. But don't worry, we've got your back! In this video Tom Jesson and I talk through everything you need to get a better understanding of these terms, what they mean and how to assess them. By the end of this video you'll be so much more confident in assessing and understanding your patients with back pain who present with leg symptoms.
As always please press the subscribe button, it's free, there's NO sign up and it helps the channel massively.
Find Tom
Twitter (X) - / thomas_jesson
Links from the video
Cool Nerve Roots blog by Tom
tomjesson.substack.com/p/anot...
Tom's book on Cauda Equine Syndrome (co authored with Rob Tyler)
shop.tomjesson.com/products/c...
Tom's book on Understanding Sciatica (contributions from Annina Schmid)
shop.tomjesson.com/products/u...
Great FREE summary of the terms
- shop.tomjesson.com/blogs/blog...
- shop.tomjesson.com/blogs/blog...
Video Chapters
0:00 Introduction
01:15 Overview of the video contents
01:41 Who is Tom Jesson
03:07 An overview of the terms
04:07 Sciatica
05:03 Radiculopathy
07:55 Radicular Pain
09:25 Can you see Radicular Pain & Radiculopathy
10:31 Referred Pain
12:25 What's actually happening to the nerves in the back
21:47 When should you be concerned in your assessment
26:21 What causes Sciatica
29:44 CAUDA EQUINA SYNDROME (CES)
32:34 Red Flags for Cauda Equine Syndrome
34:05 How to assess for Cauda Equine Syndrome
37:45 What to do when your patient answers YES to you Cauda Equina questions?
45:58 How to escalate a patient who you think may have Cauda Equina Syndrome
51:18 Tom's books

[@KINESIOEDU]

I've heard Tom many times in different podcasts. Needless to say that I have enjoyed each one of them. His wisdom on the topic and the simplicity of his narrative are both superb! This is no exception, however, you James, were able to get his knowledge to flourish in a very particular but efficient manner this time. Congrats to both, This is a pearl filled with amazing info!!!

[@JamesArmstrongPhysio]

Thank you so much. I’m so pleased you found it useful.

[@splovelace]

I’ve had CES since suffering a traumatic accident in 1982. This dude is spot on with everything he has to say about CES. I was also diagnosed with arachnoiditis in 2014. Both are very rare diseases/conditions so I guess I won the medical diagnosis lottery for rare issues. Lucky me! Despite it all, I’ve managed to have a well lived life, though it’s getting tougher now that I’m in my 60’s.

[@greg9069]

How do you deal with the pain? I had total nerve compression at L4-5 and doc said it’s permanent nerve damage, sciatica in the legs. The burning becomes unbearable at times. I have morphine, oxycodone and adderall to try to help my quality of life but sometimes it’s just not enough.

[@splovelace]

@@greg9069 it’s a daily battle. I’ve been in daily pain since I was 20, I’m now 61! I’ve had nearly every pill under the sun and none of them help my pain. Though my pain is constant, it’s an ebb and flow with severity. I have weekly flair ups, like today, where I didn’t sleep at all and I’m going in pure adrenaline. What I’ve come to realize, is that when I was on the medication my pain was worse, because I would go through micro withdrawals between doses. The withdrawals were causing me more pain than my disease. I exercise, as much as I can, ride my bike, lift weights, and walk with my forearm crutches. The endorphins are the best medicine I’ve discovered and it’s all natural. When I’m in my worst pain is when I beat down and just take it! I know from years of experience that my worst pain won’t be at its worst forever. I just have to grin and bear it for as long as it lasts. My method isn’t for everybody, because pain is such a personal subject. The 1-10 pain scale doesn’t apply for one and all. I’m happy to help in anyway I can. Look me up on Instagram @splovelace. I’ve been posting more motivational stuff lately. Would welcome the chance to help you find some relief.

[@Dynamicdiscdesigns]

Wonderful to learn the language. Thank you! We have worked to create models to help professionals communicate the language of these terms.

[@TheRunnersGuide]

This is great!!! 👌 Such simple explanations. Thank you

[@ericasabinske6735]

As a person who had surgery for Cauda Equina Syndrome in 2017 I am finding this fascinating (and I’m only about 15min in)

[@jltt2203]

I had CES surgery September 2022. I've gotten all the feeling back in my right foot and leg and my left foot has gotten a lot better but still have some numb spots. The back of my left leg is still numb but I'm getting feeling back in certain areas. My saddle area has gotten all its feeling back but my butt area is still has no feeling. Still pretty numb in the genital area but it's coming back. When my Dr. Said it could be a few years, I see that he's correct.

[@user-lz4kq4js2n]

thank u

[@kellyofthehead]

Hi, great video, I'm from the northeast of England too! I had Cauda equina June 2022, I was left after a positive MRI revealed it, they failed to send me anywhere and my positive results left on a pile. I eventually had to call an ambulance as I became incontinent. I had the surgery urgently, then 2 weeks later it happened again. It was my S1 L5 but my discs L4 and L3 have prolapsed too. The second surgery was much worse. The nerve pain for me now is especially in my hips, knees and I have awful burning thighs. Buzzing in my left foot constantly, numbness in my right foot and still have numbness in my saddle area. I only had two physio sessions then they discharged me 😢 What I want to ask and what is the most annoying symptom currently is the muscle fasciculations that started march last year and haven't left me, they are 24/7, much worse in my right leg (the leg that has been most effected from cauda equina) I'm getting them all over my body and only started after the surgery. I also get bigger body jerks too along with severe cramps. I've had no doctor explain to me why I'm getting these fasciculations and what is causing it. It definitely feels nerve related. I don't get any break from it now, as I'm typing this my muscles are twitching 😞

[@abhinavheya6289]

I hope God heals your pain, can I ask you if you are able to walk and have a normal bladder function post op?

[@LEARNITALIAN-AlexandraPixwell]

Can sciatica turn into cauda equina? Or they affect different parts of the disk?

[@Bikkufootballtalks]

more like bladder part