Cauda Equina Syndrome can affect people of all ages. However, it is more prevalent in the adult population. If you have undergone lumbar herniated disc surgery, particularly the open surgery, then, you may develop Cauda Equina Syndrome. In today’s article, we will tell you about this health condition, its causes, cauda equina symptoms, and treatment options. Read on!
What is Cauda Equina Syndrome?
The compression of cauda equina’s nerve roots and disruption of motor and sensory function can cause cauda equina syndrome. Patients suffering from this health condition are taken to the hospital and admitted to the emergency. Some people with cauda equina syndrome can also suffer from permanent paralysis.
Low back pain is an intense problem for many people. It affects hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S every year. In most situations, doctors can treat the condition without surgery. However, when a person has severe back pain, the best option to cauda equina symptoms is to undergo minimally invasive surgery.
Cauda equina symptoms can become intense slowly over time. There are many symptoms of this spinal condition, and each symptom depends on the severity of the nerve root compression.
Some of the main cauda equina symptoms are similar to that of a herniated disc, which includes conus medullaris syndrome, nerve irritation, nerve compression, peripheral nerve disorder, and spinal cord compression.
Moreover, severe back pain, sensory loss, motor weakness, and pain in the legs are also the most common symptoms of cauda equina syndrome. Bladder dysfunction, bowel incontinence, rectum or bladder abnormalities, sexual dysfunction, and poor reflex actions are also the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome.
What are the causes of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
A herniated disc is the most common cause of this spine condition. The herniated disc usually occurs in the lumbar spine. For instance, a severe injury or excessive strain can lead to the occurrence of a herniated disc. However, you must keep in mind that the disc material typically degenerates when you age.
Also, the ligaments holding the disc can become weakened. When the process of degeneration progresses, it affects your spine. As a result, when there is a minor strain, even this can lead to a ruptured disc.
Other causes of cauda equina syndrome are spinal lesions, tumors, infections, and inflammation. The condition can also be caused by lumbar spinal stenosis, severe injuries to the lower back, spinal hemorrhages, etc.
What are the possible treatments for cauda equina syndrome?
The treatment options vary depending on the severity of the condition. Some doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication, which can reduce the symptoms of inflammation and pain up to some extent. Medications can also treat ankylosing spondylitis, which is a health condition caused by inflammation.
If you are suffering from this spine condition, you need proper treatment to relieve pressure on your nerves. Although pain medications, steroid injections, and physical therapy can improve the symptoms, they are not a permanent solution.
Therefore, the best option is the surgery to prevent permanent damage, which can be loss of bladder, bowel control, and other problems like leg paralysis and sexual dysfunction. However, keep in mind that open back surgery can further complicate the problems, because it can cause damage to the surrounding tissues, muscles, and ligaments in the lower back.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Treatment for this spine condition focuses on decompressing the cauda equina, which are nerve roots in the lumbar spine. One of the best minimally invasive procedures to accomplish decompression is laminectomy, which involves the removal of elements that are causing compression.
The spinal column has lamina, which gives access to the thecal sac that contains the cauda equina or the lumbar nerve roots. During the surgery, the surgeon at MINT approaches the thecal sac to remove the spinal tumor, herniated disc, or spinal hematoma to decompress the thecal sac.
Surgeons at MINT perform this procedure within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. Our qualified surgeons have done extensive research on cauda equina syndrome, and have practically treated it with the minimally invasive approach known as a laminectomy.
At the Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas, Dr. Scott Kutz is an experienced and certified spine neurosurgeon in Plano, TX who performs MIS surgeries using his state-of-the-art skills and advanced technology tools.
MINT has specialists who can treat lumbar spine nerve root problems, including cauda equina syndrome, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, low back pain, spinal tumors, cancer and spinal fracture, burst fracture, and others – all with minimally invasive techniques.
MINT performs various MIS surgeries to treat back problems with a success rate of over 95%. So, if you are suffering from cauda equina syndrome, you should contact MINT immediately.
