What are the signs and symptoms of cauda equina syndrome?

Symptoms

Lost the ability to control his or her bladder or bowels.
Less or changed sensation between the legs or over the buttocks, the inner thighs, the back of the legs, the feet or the heels.
Pain, numbness or weakness in one or both legs. This may cause stumbling or trouble getting up from a chair.

Can symptoms of cauda equina come and go?

Onset of Cauda Equina Syndrome In an acute onset, sensory and motor deficits in the lower body typically develop within 24 hours. Gradual onset can develop over progressively, and symptoms may come and go over the course of several weeks or months.

What happens if you have cauda equina?

Cauda equina syndrome weakness or numbness in both legs that is severe or getting worse. numbness around or under your genitals, or around your anus. finding it hard to start peeing, can’t pee or can’t control when you pee – and this isn’t normal for you.

How does cauda equina syndrome start?

Cauda equina syndrome occurs when the nerve roots in the lumbar spine are compressed, cutting off sensation and movement. Nerve roots that control the function of the bladder and bowel are especially vulnerable to damage.

What nerve controls bowel and bladder?

Sacral nerves are located in the pelvic area just above the tailbone. These nerves control the muscles and organs that contribute to overall bowel control, such as the anal sphincter and pelvic floor.

Can cauda equina syndrome cause constipation?

Patients with cauda equina lesions may have an atonic bowel and develop severe and chronic constipation, and they often suffer from overflow incontinence.

Can you have cauda equina for years?

Gradual onset cauda equina syndrome is when the condition occurs slowly, with symptoms getting progressively worse over a matter of weeks, months or even years. During this period, the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome may seem to come and go, with certain symptoms improving before deteriorating again.

Can back problems cause bowel problems?

A spinal cord injury can lead to bowel problems: You may have problems moving waste through your colon (or large intestine). You may pass a stool when you don’t want to, or a stool may be hard to pass. These problems can cause pain in your abdomen.

Which vertebrae affects colon?

The proximal colon is innervated by the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord via the lumbar splanchnic nerve (Harrington et al., 2018). In contrast, the distal colon has dual spinal innervation via both the lumbar splanchnic nerve and sacral pelvic nerves (Harrington et al., 2018).

Which vertebrae affects bowel movements?

If your injury is above level T11/T12, then the muscles of your sphincters and pelvic floor may be tight, which leads to constipation. If your injury is level T11/T12 or lower, then these muscles may be loose, which leads to stool incontinence.