Definition
Cauda equina syndrome is a rare but serious condition that
is deemed a medical surgical emergency. Cauda equina syndrome may have
long-lasting effects if not addressed right away.
Description
Cauda equina syndrome
results from compression of the spinal nerves that control bowel and bladder
function. It is usually combined with lumbar disc disease. The loss of bowel
and bladder function in cauda equina syndrome is a call for immediate physician
consultation.
Note: Some back pain and leg pain patients are prescribed injections and medications to deal with and even reduce the pain. These treatments may mask the pain while cauda equina syndrome persists. So be sure to tell your Plainville chiropractor if you now have or develop at any point in your care a loss of bladder control (cannot control your urination) or a loss of bowel control (cannot control your bowels movements).
Examination
One of the first questions during a chiropractic examination
is “Do you have bladder or bowel control issues?” so the condition of cauda
equina is immediately considered. For information on how a typical spinal examination
flows, please watch the video.
Lumbar Spine Exam Description
Treatment
The gold standard of care for cauda equina syndrome is surgery to decompress the spinal nerves. This may involve the removal of disc
material or disc fragment that has entered the spinal canal space. How soon does this surgery need to be done?
The medical research literature is filled with recommendations of “immediately”
to discussions of positive results similar to outcomes of immediate surgical interventions when the surgical intervention happened 1 to 3 months after the onset of cauda equina symptoms. The best
course of action is immediate physician evaluation and recommendation.
Clinical Case Reports
In one report, 14 patients (11 men and 3 women) with a mean age of 48 years (36-57 years) who presented with chronic lower back pain, leg pain and cauda equina symptoms and had surgery performed 1 to 3 months after onset. All report relief of back or leg pain. 9 patients report lower extremity strength improvement. So researchers offer that significant improvement in bladder and bowel function is possible. (1)
Contact Layden Chiropractic for consultation about your spinal
pain conditions.
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the
DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by
Dr. James M. Cox I."