Cauda equina syndrome occurs when your cauda equina, a bundle of nerve fibers at the bottom of your spinal cord, is pinched or irritated. This aggravation can be caused by a number of disorders, including a herniated disc, a tumor, spinal stenosis, or inflammatory conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis.
See Spinal Tumors and Back Pain
Our video walk through can help you better understand this rare ailment that is considered to be a medical emergency.
Cauda equina anatomy
Pictured below is the lumbar area of your spine (commonly referred to as the lower back). Your nerves are pictured in purple.
See Causes of Pain in the Lumbar Spine
Your spinal cord runs from the base of your skull to the top of your lumbar spine. As it reaches your lumbar spine, it branches into several nerve fibers, known as the cauda equina, which continue throughout your lower body.
See Spinal Anatomy and Back Pain
Your individual nerves exit through small holes in your lumbar spine called foramina (pictured above). Your sacrum, legs, and feet are innervated by the individual nerves from this part of your spine as they run downward throughout your body.
Watch Lumbar Spine Anatomy Video
These nerves communicate sensory and motor nerve messages between your central nervous system and your pelvis and lower limbs. They are responsible for the control and sensory function of your bowel, bladder, genitals and saddle area (where your body would touch a saddle if you were riding a horse), and your legs.
Causes of cauda equina syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome can be caused by any condition in your lower spine that compresses the nerves in your lumbar spinal canal.
See Causes of Cauda Equina Syndrome
The most common cause is a massive disc herniation in your lower spine, shown above. Less common causes include tumors, spinal stenosis, inflammation, infection within your spinal canal, or an injury to your spine.
See Lumbar Herniated Disc: Causes and Risk Factors
Symptoms
Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome often vary. They may come on suddenly, or they may occur gradually over many years—depending on the degree of nerve irritation.
See Cauda Equina Syndrome Symptoms
Common symptoms include:
See Lower Back Pain Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Your main takeaway from this walk through should be that acute cauda equina syndrome is a rare but serious medical emergency which usually requires decompression surgery on the spine within 24 hours. If left untreated, it can result in paralysis, loss of sensation below your lumbar spine, and permanent loss of bladder and bowel control.
This website includes materials that are protected by copyright, or other proprietary rights. Transmission or reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use, as defined in the copyright laws, requires the written permission of the copyright owners.