Cauda equina syndrome affects the final part of the spinal cord and can seriously affect the nervous structure and cause serious alterations in our body. Next, we will tell you what this disease is about, what its causes are, its symptoms and what is the best way to treat it.
What is cauda equina syndrome?
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) refers to compression of the nerves in the cauda equina., that is, from the final part of the spinal cord. Although it is not specifically a spinal disease, cauda equina syndrome occurs when the nerve roots in this area are injured, which are what give sensitivity to the legs and middle area.
This disease can lead to the appearance of neurological alterations and abnormalities in the lower regions of the body, since it attacks the nerves that are responsible for moving the legs and perceiving the sensory stimuli of these areas, such as the voluntary control of the anal and urinary sphincters and erections.
Herniated intervertebral discs in the lumbar area are usually the main triggers of cauda equina syndrome, but there are also other factors such as stenosis, an infection or a tumor, which can cause this disease.
It is worth mentioning that cauda equina syndrome requires immediate medical attention, so when symptoms present, you should see a specialist in order to relieve pressure on the nerves and prevent the patient from losing the motor functions of the waist to below.
Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome
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The damaged area in this condition fulfills multiple sensory and motor functions, so when it is affected, different failures occur in the body. Between the main symptoms of cauda equina syndrome we can stand out:
- Lumbar lower spine pain: The lower part of the spinal cord is located at the level of the first lumbar vertebra, the region where this syndrome is generated acutely and progresses in a few hours.
- Saddle paresthesia: Named after numbness or tingling in the crotch, which brings significant difficulties in walking, urinating and/or defecating.
- Sensitivity disorders: alterations in the inner part of the thighs and in the area of the rectum and genitals. It also generates an anesthetic sensation in the perineum (area between the genital region and the anus).
- Areflexia: Due to the nerve injury, reflexes in the extremities are lost and no response is produced when the deep tendon reflexes are tested.
- Sexual dysfunction: Difficulty having erections or any other response of this nature, which prevents having satisfactory sexual relations.
Causes of cauda equina syndrome
The main causes of tail syndrome horse that cause compression of the lower spinal cord and prevent the nerves in this area from performing their functions normally, are the following:
- Rupture of a spinal disc: generated by pressure generated on the spinal cord
- spinal cord injury: Strong impacts such as those that occur in traffic accidents can cause injuries such as vertebral fractures, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, which give rise to cauda equina syndrome.
- herniated disc: It occurs when a spinal disc is forced to pass through a weakened part, which can put pressure on the spinal cord or nearby nerves.
- Canal stenosis: narrowing of the space through which the spinal cord and nerve roots pass, generating pressure on them and affecting their functions.
Factors increase the likelihood of developing CES
Other possible causal factors of this syndrome are the appearance of infections and tumors in the spinal canal, degenerative disc disease, spina bifida, a surgical intervention that affects nerve fibers or complications derived from epidural anesthesia.
The degenerative disc disease refers to the normal changes that occur in the spinal discs as a person ages. This condition occurs when one or more intervertebral discs deteriorate, causing back pain.
For its part, the spina bifida is a birth defect in which a baby’s spinal cord fails to develop or close correctly during pregnancy, which can cause paralysis and loss of sensation in the lower extremities, as well as various complications in intestinal, urinary and neurological functions. .
In turn, the tumors in the spine They also increase the likelihood of developing CES. These can seriously affect nervous structures, generating a decrease in mobility and/or alterations in sensitivity.
Treatment for cauda equina syndrome
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If you present symptoms related to cauda equina syndrome, you should go to a spine specialist to analyze the patient’s clinical condition and indicate the steps to follow.
Probably, if the doctor can detect a possible pathology, he will send the patient for studies such as an MRI, a CT scan or a myelogram, in order to obtain better quality images.
The surgical evaluation of patients with cauda equina syndrome is concrete and immediate. The diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome implies a need for urgent surgical intervention in order to avoid further functional complications..
Cauda equina syndrome surgery aims to decompress the cauda equina. There can be two methods used: laminectomy, in which a vertebral lamina is removed; or a discectomy, in which the part of the disc that generates pressure is removed.
With the great advances in technology, it is currently possible that after the intervention the patient begins to experience improvements within 48 hours. In turn, by taking appropriate rehabilitation measures, the affected person will be able to progressively recover their motor activity and return to their usual tasks.
Without a doubt, Cauda de Caballo Syndrome is a severe pathology that must be treated urgently with surgery. If you have symptoms, make an appointment immediately with a team of professionals. At ICAC, the spine endoscopy expert center, you have the guarantee of years of experience and the trust of the patients who have been operated on by our team.
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