What causes cauda equina?

What causes cauda equina?

Causes. Cauda equina syndrome may be caused by a herniated disk, tumor, infection, fracture, or narrowing of the spinal canal.

What are the symptoms of arachnoiditis?

Arachnoiditis can cause many symptoms including the following:

• Tingling, numbness or weakness in the legs.
• Sensations that may feel like insects crawling on the skin or water trickling down the leg.
• Severe shooting pain that can be similar to an electric shock sensation.
• Muscle cramps, spasms and uncontrollable twitching.

What does cauda equina mean?

The collection of nerves at the end of the spinal cord is known as the cauda equina, due to its resemblance to a horse’s tail. The spinal cord ends at the upper portion of the lumbar (lower back) spine.

Is cauda equina an emergency?

Cauda equina syndrome is a rare disorder that usually is a surgical emergency. In patients with cauda equina syndrome, something compresses on the spinal nerve roots. You may need fast treatment to prevent lasting damage leading to incontinence and possibly permanent paralysis of the legs.

Is arachnoiditis serious?

In severe cases, arachnoiditis may cause paralysis of the lower limbs. Arachnoiditis remains a difficult condition to treat, and long-term outcomes are unpredictable. Most treatments for arachnoiditis are focused on chronic pain relief and the improvement of symptoms that impair daily function.

How do you fix cauda equina syndrome?

Treatments. Cauda equina syndrome is a potential surgical emergency, and may require timely decompression surgery to reduce/remove the pressure on the nerve(s). Undergoing early surgery seems to offer the best chance for improvement of sensory and muscle function as well as bowel and bladder function.

What is the cauda equina?

The individual nerve roots at the end of the spinal cord that provide motor and sensory function to the legs and the bladder continue along in the spinal canal. The cauda equina is the continuation of these nerve roots in the lumbar region.

How is cauda equina syndrome (CES) diagnosed?

Patient history and physical exam: Extremely important to assess for cauda equina syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A diagnostic test that produces three-dimensional images of body structures using magnetic fields and computer technology. MRI produces images of the spinal cord, nerve roots and surrounding areas.

Should I join a cauda equina support group?

That’s why joining a cauda equina support group may be a good idea. If you have loss of bladder or bowel function, the following tips may help: Use a catheter to completely empty your bladder three or four times a day. Drink plenty of fluids and use good personal hygiene to prevent urinary tract infections.

Is cauda equina surgery an emergency?

New (acute) cauda equina syndrome is an emergency. If your healthcare provider determines that you have this condition, you’ll likely go into surgery within 24 hours. Surgery will move whatever is compressing your nerve roots so they can heal. The type of surgery is called a lumbar laminectomy.